Hi Everyone! It’s about to be that time of year again where the swimming pool becomes a great escape from the heat.
Hi Everyone! It’s about to be that time of year again where the swimming pool becomes a great escape from the heat. However, pools prove to be deadly for American kids each year. Consider the following statistics reported by the Mayo Clinic:
· Approximately 300 children under the age of 5 drown in backyard swimming pools nationwide each year.
· Nearly 70% of the children who drown were not expected to be near the pool when they were found in the water.
· In the remaining 30% of cases, most children were being supervised by one or both parents, proving that it only takes a few moments for a child to slip under the surface and drown.
Using the following tips to ensure fun and safety for your kids in and around the pool
- Install pool alarms – floating pool alarms alert you that something or someone is in the water (like a toddler who accidentally falls in)
- Fence it in – Make sure access to your pool is blocked. Fences and walls should be taller than a child and completely surround the pool. All gates or doors leading to the pool should be self-latching and impossible for a child to open.
- Cover it up – A motor-powered safety cover can provide a barrier over the water when the pool is not in use.
- Maintain proper chemical mixture – improper chemicals can cause cloudy water that can mask dangers at the bottom or make it difficult to see children under water.
- Remove toys – Don’t leave pool toys in the water. Children may try to retrieve a toy they wish to play with and fall in.
- Learn CPR and rescue techniques
- Stock first aid equipment – First Aid should always be within close proximity of the pool because of the high risk for injury.
- Monitor your kids at all times while they swim – Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool. During social gatherings near pools, designate an adult to watch the water.
Don Keenan, founder of the Keenan’s Kids Foundation, has published a book on kid’s safety titled, 365 Ways to Keep Kids Safe, which is available at www.balloonpress.com or at www.amazon.com Proceeds benefit the Keenan’s Kids Foundation.
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safety