The backyard pool once considered a luxury is fast becoming a standard for many homes. People are comfortable around pools, making it easy to forget the dangers that may be lurking in the clear blue sparkling water on a hot summer day. Summer is in full swing and now is the perfect time to take a safety time-out and review pool safety. Over Memorial Day weekend, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) launched its second annual Pool Safely: Simple Steps Save Lives campaign.
The Pool Safely campaign is part of a national public education effort to reduce water-related child deaths, and nonfatal submersion and entrapment in swimming pools and spas. This is the educational part to the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, signed into law in 2007. To learn more about this law, visit the Pool Safely website. Since, 1972, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has focused on protecting consumers from products that pose a high risk of injury or death, and pools and spas fall within their jurisdiction.
The Key to Preventing Drowning in Pools and Spas
The Pool Safely campaign focuses on educating both parents and children on “how to protect themselves in and around pools and spas by practicing as many water safety steps as possible” and calls it “Simple Steps Saves Lives.” On June 28, 2011, the CPSC released its “2011 summer snapshot” which provides the public with the number of drowning and near drowning incidents since Memorial Day. According to the CPSC, “there have been 48 drowning and 75 near-drowning incidents in 35 states.” At the end of May, the CPSC had already reported “55 drowning and 63 near-drowning incidents in 29 states” for the first five months.
The key to preventing water-related deaths and injuries is never leave children unattended in or around pools or spas. When children are in the water do not take your eyes off your children. The Pool Safely: Simple Steps Save Lives campaign recommends both children and adults receive training in basic rescue procedures and CPR. Additionally, any adult who will be supervising children around pools should learn how to swim. Teach children to avoid playing near or sitting on pool drains or other opening in the pool. Keep hands and feet out of pool filters.
Enclosing Pools, Locking Gates, and Using Pool Water Alarms
Most areas require pools have at least a four-foot high enclosure with a self-closing and automatic locking gate around the pool. Also, consider investing in a surface wave or underwater alarm pool alarm, which emits an alarm if the pool water is disturbed. Many water-related deaths in toddlers and young children occur when the child falls into a pool trying to retrieve a toy from the water. If a child is missing and the home has a pool instruct adults to always check in the family pool first.
Knowing the dangers pools present and educating children and adults on pool safety can reduce the chances of water-related deaths or accidental drowning or near-drowning incidents. Make pool safety a topic of discussion and help spread the word about the dangers lurking in pools and spas, and help stop needless deaths from pools and spas. Have a wonderful summer and Pool Safely!
Sources:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) "Pool Safely: Simple Steps Save Lives" (accessed June 3, 2011).
Erika Lyn Smith - Erika Lyn Smith - is a Psych RN, who has completed the UMSL Medicolegal Death Investigator Training Course, and is finishing a BS in ...
