Red Cross Urges Families to Take Pool Safety Seriously

Written by Becky Orfinger, Staff Writer, RedCross.org

June 28, 2001 —  Even before the unofficial start of summer (Memorial Day) had passed this year, seven children in Orange County, Calif., drowned in pool and bathtub accidents. One of them, a 2-year-old girl, fell into her family's pool in Huntington Beach when she was left unattended for just a couple of minutes. All of the drowning victims in Orange County so far have been 5 years old or younger, with the youngest just 23 months old.

Health and safety experts warn parents to remain only an arm's length away from children playing in and around the pool at all times.

The summer season is a time for fun, but not for carelessness — especially around pools and other water areas, warns the American Red Cross. As the school year comes to a close and the Fourth of July holiday approaches, water safety experts are reminding parents that being vigilant while their children swim is a surefire way to save thousands of lives. "Most water-related injuries involving happen because parents take their eyes off their children," said Anita Foster, a spokesperson for the American Red Cross Chisholm Trail Chapter in Fort Worth, Texas.

About 350 young children drown in pools each year nationwide, and over half of these incidents occur in June, July and August, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. In Orange County, where the weather is summer-like practically all year round, drowning is the number-one cause of accidental death for children aged 5 and younger. Now that the Fourth of July is just around the corner, the Red Cross is encouraging families with young children — especially those with backyard pools — to learn several safety tips for preventing accidental drownings.

"Summer is a great time to relax-except when it comes to water safety," said Connie Harvey, an American Red Cross safety expert. "Playing it safe in and around the pool and following a few simple guidelines will prevent many accidents." The best advice for families with pools in the home, she said, is to make sure that all family members, including children, know how to swim. The Red Cross offers classes for every age and ability — more information is available by contacting your local chapter or by visiting http://www.redcross.org.

Even if all family members know how to swim, everyone should follow these Red Cross safety tips:

• Never leave a child unattended near water. Because it only takes a second for a small child to fall into a pool and slip underwater, adult supervision is always required during pool usage. When infants or toddlers are playing near a pool, an adult should be no more than an arm's length away, providing "reach supervision."

• Keep basic lifesaving equipment near the pool, and learn how to use it. The Red Cross recommends a reaching pole, a portable phone and U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation devices — such as life jackets and ring buoys. Many families with backyard pools also install pool alarms, which can offer an extra layer of protection when used correctly. Underwater, motion detecting pool alarms are sensitive enough to sound at even an unexpected splash in the water. Another type of alarm, worn on the wrist of a child, will sound if exposed to water.

  Summer holidays are a time for fun, but parents must always remain vigilant when their children are swimming.

• Surround a backyard pool with a fence at least 4 feet high on all sides. To prevent a child from gaining access to the water, the Red Cross recommends that the fence have a self-closing, self-latching gate that remains locked when the pool is not being used. The safest fence will have vertical bars with spacing small enough that children cannot slip through them. Pool fences should not have any footholds or ledges that might allow a child to climb over.

• Keep toys away from the pool area. Because toys can attract children, it is safest to keep them out of sight when the pool is not being used.

• Learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Families with backyard pools must insist that babysitters, grandparents and anyone else who cares for their children learn lifesaving CPR. Red Cross CPR courses are taught nationwide — contact your local chapter for more information. Post clear CPR instructions and your local emergency number in a visible place near the pool in case of an emergency. Installing a phone in the pool area or keeping a cordless phone nearby is also useful.

• Make an emergency plan. If a child is missing from the pool area, check the pool first. Make sure to go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire body of water, bottom and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area.

By implementing these layers of safety, pool owners can reduce the startling high number of drowning deaths — 350 — which occur each year among children aged 5 years and younger. "To put it simply, never, ever leave a child unattended around a pool," said Harvey. "Almost one quarter of the infant and child drowning deaths each year occur in the home — the majority of which could have been prevented if an adult had been there to supervise."