Swimming pool safety
Most childhood drownings occur in swimming pools. If you have a pool in your home, make sure that you follow safety measures established by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.1 When visiting public or private pools, make sure your children are supervised closely and that they are familiar with pool safety rules.
The following measures can help prevent drowning tragedies:
Pool safety
- All pool owners should be certified in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
- If a child is missing, look immediately in the pool. Every second counts in drowning accidents.
- Never let your child swim without an adult present.
- Always have your child wear a life jacket when swimming or boating.
- Inflatable toys or mattresses should not be used when young children are swimming in water above the waist.
- Remove toys from the pool when they are not in use. Young children attracted to the toys can fall in when reaching for them.
- Any doors leading from the house to the pool should be fitted with an alarm that sounds any time the door is opened unexpectedly.
Pool equipment
- Install a power safety cover for when the pool is not in use. This is a motor-powered device that acts as a barrier over the water.
- Keep rescue equipment by the pool. This includes a portable phone with emergency numbers, a life preserver, and a shepherd's hook.
- Above-ground pools that are not in use should be inaccessible. Secure steps and ladders to prevent an unsupervised child from climbing into the pool.
- Install underwater pool alarms that can be heard inside the house and in nearby areas. Alarms that can be used with pool covers are recommended.
- Install fences and walls around the entire pool. Fences should be at least 4 ft (1.2 m) high, with self-closing and self-latching gates. Latches should be out of a young child's reach.
| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH | Last Updated: January 5, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics | |
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