|
Water Safety Encouraged as Pools Open Nationwide
Written by Mason Booth, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
May 23, 2003 —
After one of the harshest winters in years, New York resident Adam Rodriquez has long awaited this Memorial Day Weekend, which marks the unofficial start of summer and the opening of pools nationwide. However, fun in the sun for Rodriquez includes five nephews and one niece, ranging in age from 2 - 24, and he realized that before he can relax poolside or at the ocean, he should first take a few preparedness steps to ensure their summer is a safe one.
Rodriquez called his local chapter, the American Red Cross of Greater New York, and enrolled in a lifeguard training course. Soon the businessman, president of a video and new media production company, found himself among a group of fresh-faced 17-year-olds ready to learn lifesaving summer safety skills.
”I’m 42 years old, so I definitely stand out, but it’s worth it. My family thinks it’s hysterical though,” Rodriquez said.
To prepare for the beginning of the class and it’s intensive prerequisite swimming course on June 7, Rodriquez has been practicing at a local pool to build his endurance.
”It’s a lot harder than it looks but I’m going to practice like crazy until I can do it,” he said, knowing his sore muscles and exhaustion are worth it. “I will feel much more confident at the beach with the children.”
Learn How to Respond Before Emergences Arise
Rodriquez isn’t alone in turning to the American Red Cross for safety skills. Last year, nearly 12 million people signed up for lifesaving health and safety classes with the organization, such as first aid and CPR.
With summer just around the corner, there has never been a better time to get trained, especially considering the statistics associated with water-related emergencies.
Every year, an estimated 350 children aged five years and younger drown in pools, with nearly half of those fatalities occurring in June, July and August, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
|
Take the Water Safety Quiz
| |
Do you know how to stay safe around the water? Test your water safety skills by taking the
Red Cross Water Safety Quiz!
|
"Summer is a great time to relax--except when it comes to water safety," said Connie Harvey, American Red Cross health and 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 at 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 .
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.
- 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. "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."
Related Links:
|
| 
|
|
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. You can make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives.
|
