According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning deaths have decreased for most age groups, but it’s still the leading cause of accidental death for children under 5.
The majority of pool accidents occur in the months of June, July, and August, and most occur in backyard pools. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in nearly 70% of backyard pool drownings the child was not expected to be in or at the pool.
Don’t just think of pools or natural bodies of water as hazards; drownings have occurred in bathtubs and hot tubs as well. In 2007, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act was passed as the result of the 2002 death of Virginia Graeme Baker, a seven year-old girl who drowned after she was trapped under water by the powerful suction from a hot tub drain. One component of the law requires public pools to be equipped with anti-entrapment drain devices. It also required new pool or spa drain covers manufactured after December 19, 2007 to be compliant with the new entrapment protection standards.
What are some things that will reduce the risk of swimming accidents?
- Always supervise children when in or around water
- Don’t swim alone and choose sites that have lifeguards
- Swimming lessons will benefit both you and your children
- Avoid alcohol when swimming or supervising
- If you have a pool at home, install 4-sided fencing that is at least 4 feet high
- Clear the pool and surrounding area of toys when the pool is not being used
- Don’t rely on air-filled or foam toys as a substitute for life jackets
- Teach children to stay away from drains
- Make sure the pool or spa you visit has compliant drain covers
Enjoy the rest of your summer and respect the water
COMMENTS