Swimming Accident
Swimming can be a lot of fun for the whole family, but they can also be hazardous. Many people are injured in swimming pool accidents each year, especially children. These accidents can include diving injuries, water contamination, and drowning.
Swimming Pool Safety Tips:
- Never leave children unobserved. Adult supervision is recommended.
- Keep a phone near the pool so you can immediately call 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.
- Learn CPR and insist that others who care for your child know CPR as well.
- Post CPR instructions and your local emergency number near the pool.
- Enclose the pool on all sides with a self-locking, self-closing fence with vertical bars. Openings in the fence should be no more than four inches wide.
- Never leave furniture near the fence that could allow children to climb over the fence.
- Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool and know how to use it.
- Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract children to the water.
- Completely remove covers before using the pool.
- If a child is missing, make sure to check the pool first. Every second counts in drowning accidents.
Up to half of all adolescent and adult swimming pool-related deaths are associated with alcohol. Alcohol affects balance, coordination, and judgment. The effects of alcohol are enhanced by exposure to the sun and heat.Lack of Supervision and BarriersMost young children who drown in pools were in the care of one or both parents at the time and had been out of sight for only a short amount of time. Barriers can help prevent children from gaining access to the pool area unsupervised.