Children’s Swimming Pool Safety - Saving Lives Through Common Sense

Here at Poolandwater.com we hope you will work safely while opening your swimming pool.

Please make sure that you always swim with another person. Never let children swim unsupervised in a swimming pool or spa. Throughout the world an average of 30 people drown per hour in swimming pools, spas, at the beach or other bodies of water. A large percentage of these victims are children under 5 years old.

Drownings or near drownings tend to happen when children are in familiar surroundings being supervised by a parent. The drowning occurred during a supervisory lapse.

Almost 70% of all children who were accidentally submerged were not expected to be near the swimming pool at that time. 65% of these accidents happened in a swimming pool owned by the family. It only takes as little as 2” of water and 2 seconds for a child to drown.

Here are some findings from the “Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety act”
United States congress found the following:

Of injury-related deaths, drowning is the second leading cause of death in children aged 1 to 14 in the United States. In 2004, 761 children aged 14 and under died as a result of unintentional drowning. Adult supervision at all aquatic venues is a critical safety factor in preventing children from drowning.

Research studies show that the installation and proper use of barriers or fencing, as well as additional layers of protection, could substantially reduce the number of childhood residential swimming pool drowning.

STEPS TO TAKE FOR A SAFE SWIMMING POOL SEASON:

Never leave a child unattended in a swimming pool or spa.
Always police/inspect the inside and outside of your swimming pool area. Children will use chairs, boxes, ladders, small trees, garden statues, and other objects to gain access to the swimming pool or spa.
Kiddy swimming pools, wading pools, buckets, and drains should always be emptied of water when not in use and must be supervised when they are in use.
If the swimming pool has access from the home, lock those doors and windows when not in use. Doggie doors can also be used as access to the swimming pool.
Never prop open a gate or leave it unattended.
If your swimming pool is equipped with a main drain inspect the main drain covers for cracks, and tightly fastened to the floor of the swimming pool every season. Make sure that your main drain cover meets the code requirements as per the Virginia Graeme Backer Act. If you do not know what is required call poolandwater.com at 1-800-225-9665
Install an alarm system that will protect the entire swimming pool area.
Always remember children are curious about water but often lack the understanding of the dangers involved.
Stress water safety with your children.
Every member of your family should learn how to swim.

Swimming pool safety is not an accident. Sound planning, careful supervision, and an alarm systems and main drain covers available at poolandwater.com that cannot be compromised are important elements that will help ensure the well being of your family and friends. These efforts will not be unrewarded.