Five Things to Know about Pool Safety
- Drowning deaths of children under 5 years of age in swimming pools are increasing. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports each year the number of fatalities grows. The CPSC also estimates 2,100 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms for pool submersion injuries in 2005.
- A common misconception is that you will hear a child splashing and screaming. Children often fall into a pool and silently slip under the water. A drowning can occur within minutes without anyone hearing a sound.
- Many drownings occur when children are not expected to be near the pool. The CPSC reports nearly 70 percent of victims were last seen in the house, on a nearby porch or in the yard.
- Follow the 10/20 rule. When a child is drowning, every minute counts. The supervising adult needs to scan the pool area within 10 seconds and reach the pool within 20 seconds.
- Barriers can reduce the risk of drownings. Installing a fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate around the pool area can prevent unsupervised access by children. If one side of the house is used as a barrier, install alarms on doors leading to the pool or a power safety cover over the pool.
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