Keeping Children Safe
As a parent, your number one priority is keeping your child safe. This is especially true when they are involved in water activities. An accident can happen at any moment, so it is crucial to supervise your child at a close distance at all times.
Pool Safety Facts
As Swimming pools can be entertaining, refreshing and fun for both children and adults. Unfortunately they can also be deadly.
The facts below are provided by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
- A drowning can occur in only 2 inches of water.
- Near drownings can cause severe brain damage, memory problems and learning disorders.
- Near drownings can cause death at a later time due to complications of the chemistry in the lungs.
- About 350 children under the age of 5 drown in pools each year.
- Another 2,600 are treated in hospitals for near-drowning incidents.
- Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of death after auto accidents for children under the age of 5.
- Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of death for all children between the ages of 1 and 14.
- A majority of drowning accidents occur in backyard pools
- In 2004 males accounted for 78% of accident fatal drownings.
- Of all the children under the age of 5, 26% of the annual deaths are the cause of accidental drownings.
- For those with seizure disorders, drowning is the number 1 cause of death. Most deaths occur in bathtubs
- Alcohol is involved in 25% to 50% of teenage and adult fatal drowning accidents.
- Remember to use extreme caution when participating in any type of water recreation – whether you are swimming laps in your backyard, or out boating on a lake.
“As a pool owner, you must remember that you are always fully responsible for any children in your pool at all times. If anything happens to your or any one else’s child, you are liable for any injuries or accidents.” Reminds Brian Belflower, owner and founder of Frisco Pool Cleaning Service Executive Blue Pools.
When at a public pool it is required that a lifeguard be on duty at all times, unless there are signs posted that notify you otherwise. When a lifeguard is on duty, it is still your responsibility to make sure you children are practicing pool safety.
All the same rules apply for river and lake activities. Remember that air filled toys and swimming aids never substitute a life vest or jacket.
In any type of event that a child is near water, make sure they are supervised at all times by a responsible and sober adult. The adult who is responsible for watching any children should have no other distractions such as a book or cell phone. Their full and undivided attention should be focused on the children at all times.
