Swimming pools in particular are popular ways for families to beat the heat. With swimming pools, however, it is important to keep safety in mind at all times. According to the CDC, in 2007 there were 3,443 accidental drownings in the United States, which averages out to about ten per day. At least one out of five fatal drowning victims are children aged 14 and younger.
Following simple safety steps can help prevent tragedy. If you have a pool on your property, be sure to secure access to the pool via a fence with a lock or other pool barrier. Keep the area well lit at night, with safety and rescue gear available nearby, and make sure to never allow young children to swim unattended or near the pool unsupervised. Keep your pool area clear of balls and other toys, as this can prevent children from entering the pool area unsupervised, or leaning over the water to grab a ball.
If you take your children swimming, make sure to not rely on air-filled or foam toys as primary sources of safety gear. Most swim toys such as noodles and water wings are not designed to be safety flotation devices. Life jackets for younger children are recommended. If your child is preschool-aged, an adult should be within reach of a child at all times. Older children should have a swim buddy and never swim without adult supervision. Adults, when supervising, should not engage in distracting behavior such as mowing the lawn or playing cards. Finally, enrolling your child in formal swim lessons can teach them both how to swim, and how to act responsibly and safely around bodies of water.
If you have a swimming pool, make sure to protect yourself. Talk with your agent about ways to prevent risk ,and properly cover yourself in case of accident. By engaging in simple safety steps, you and your family can avoid risk and injury to yourselves and others, and safely enjoy summer weather.
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