Summer is a great time to relax, but it’s important to remember that water safety is critical. Taking proactive safety measures can help everyone stay safer around water.
Last year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a report that found that drownings and drowning injuries remain high for children under age 15. The hazards are particularly strong for children under age 5. 75% of the children who fatally drowned in pools or spas were under age 5. This age group also makes up 91% of children who fatally drowned in residential settings, which is the most common drowning environment.
Pool Safely has six safety steps to help prevent drownings and downing injuries.
Pool Safely’s Safety Steps
Supervise Children: Never leave children unattended in or around water, and always watch them carefully. Select an adult to be the official Water Watcher tasked with supervising children in the water, even if a lifeguard is also present. That adult shouldn’t have other tasks or be distracted while supervising. Keep a phone nearby in case you need to call for help. If a child is missing, check the pool first.
Teach Kids to Swim: Swimming is fun and it’s a lifesaving skill! Enroll kids in swimming lessons to help them get comfortable in the water and learn how to swim to safety.
Know Your Drains: Teach kids to avoid drains; they shouldn’t swim or play near drains or suction outlets. Never enter a pool or spa with a loose, broken, or missing drain cover.
Ensure Compliance: Make sure all pools and spas have compliant drain covers. Public pools and spas are required to have drain grates or covers that meet safety standards to avoid suction entrapment and other incidents.
Install Safety Devices: Install barriers, covers, and alarms around the pool or spa area. The pool or spa should be surrounded by a fence at least four feet high on all sides and children should not be able to climb it. The water should only be accessible through a self-closing, self-latching gate. Install a door alarm from the house to the pool area. Keep pool and spa covers in good condition. Teach kids to never climb over the gate or fence and to avoid the pool/spa area unless an adult is present.
Get Certified: Learn how to perform CPR on kids and adults. Bystanders are typically the first to aid a drowning victim, so having this skill could save a life! Keep your certification current. You can find CPR classes through many hospitals, community centers, or by contacting the American Red Cross.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
