(BPT) - Summertime means making memories by the pool and enjoying time with family and friends. While having fun in the sun, it's never too late to take precautions, especially for children in and around the water. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) encourages families to incorporate simple safety tips into their pool routines to keep their families safer this summer.
Drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages one to four, and, according to a recent report from CPSC, an average of 357 children under the age of 15 fatally drowned in pool- or spa-related incidents each year from 2020 to 2022. Fatal drownings are consistently highest during the summer months, emphasizing the importance of ensuring children's safety throughout the peak of swim season.
By following these simple safety tips, you can help to keep children safer and prevent childhood drownings:
1. Install barriers around residential pools and spas
Barriers are often the first line of defense to prevent unsupervised children from accessing the pool, one of the most likely drowning scenarios. Common barriers include pool fences, door and pool alarms, and pool covers. Pool fences should be at least 4 feet tall and impossible for children to climb. It's important to have self-closing, self-latching devices on fence gates and doors that access pools.
2. Teach children to swim
Swimming lessons are often available from organizations that operate in local communities, such as local Departments of Recreation. These lessons are not only fun but are a lifesaving skill.
3. Identify an adult Water Watcher
A designated Water Watcher - typically a parent, guardian, or trusted friend - monitors and supervises children in and around pools and spas. A Water Watcher should not be distracted and avoid reading, texting, and using a phone while performing this duty. To give everyone a chance to relax, create a schedule that allows for swapping every 15 minutes.
4. Learn how to perform CPR
This summer, sign up to become CPR certified for both children and adults. The American Red Cross offers classes, which are often available in-person and online.
5. Ensure drain covers meet federal safety standards
Teach your children to stay away from pool and spa covers, pipes, and other openings to prevent entrapment. Further, inspect your pool and spa drain covers to ensure they comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Act and haven't been recalled. Check CPSC.gov/recalls and sign up for recall email alerts.
By following these simple safety tips, we can all do our part to help prevent childhood drowning. To learn more about pool and spa safety, visit poolsafely.gov.