Moms Talk Q&A: Kids and Pool Safety

With the YMCA Healthy Kids Day coming up this weekend, the Moms Council thought they'd discuss pool safety when it comes to the kids.

put together a quick read of some stats to catch your attention and a list of tips that will go a long way towards keeping your children safe in the water:

There were 350 child drownings in the U.S. during the 2010 swimming season, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Of those drownings, 27 were in California alone.

Swimming pool accidents are the second leading cause of unintentional injury fatalities in children ages 1 to 14 years, 25 percent of fatal drowning victims
were children age 14 and below, and for every drowning fatality in this age range, another four children are treated in the emergency room for non-fatal submersion injuries.

Swimming pools can be great fun on a hot summer day. Unfortunately, an idyllic day at the pool can turn into a devastating swimming pool injury in an instant. One of the most dangerous combinations is unsupervised children and swimming pools. Children are fascinated by water, especially in a swimming pool.

Basic Safety Pool Rules:

• Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa and always watch your child when he or she is in or near water

• Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings.

• Have a telephone close by when you or your family is using a pool or spa

• If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first

• Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim *

• If you have a pool at home or swim often, learn to perform CPR on children and adults, and update those skills regularly †

Appropriate Equipment for Your Pool or Spa:

• Install a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools.

• Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water

• Install and use a lockable safety cover on your spa.

• For additional protection, install window guards on windows facing pools or spas.

• Ensure any pool and spa you use has compliant drain covers, and ask your pool service provider if you don't know

• Consider using a surface wave or underwater alarm

* Swimming Lessons can be found at:

YMCA
Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center

† CPR Classes:

City of Santee
American Red Cross