Throughout the summer months we continue to hear tragic and frightening stories about children drowning in pools, lakes and oceans. Drowning can occur in an instant, with or without supervision it is important that parents and supervisors are aware that every child is at risk, even if the child can swim.
A new report released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) shows that the number of fatal child drownings in swimming pools has decreased 11 percent nationwide since 2010. Despite the decrease, child drownings in pools and spas continue to pose a public health and safety challenge across the United States. The CPSC also advises that drowning is still the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 1 – 4 and the second leading cause of death in children ages 5 – 14 years old. Parents and supervisors must stay vigilant when children are around or in the water.
The CPSV offers simple steps to keep children safe in and around the water:
- Install a four-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate around all pools and spas.
- Teach your child how to swim.
- Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults.
- Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments.
- Ensure any pool and spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal safety standards and if you do not know, ask your pool service provider about safe drain covers.
