Pool Safety Tips for Your Family

Drowning Only Takes Seconds

by Catherine Anaya

You may remember the story a few months ago that captured the attention of Southern Californians: A 7-year-old boy disappeared from a swim party. His body was found a few days later floating at the bottom of the pool. He had drowned during a party full of adults, in a pool filled with other children. The tragedy has caused many people to wonder why no one saw him go under. And why was he left at a pool party without parental supervision when he couldn't swim? These are questions that must be asked, not to point fingers at the child's parents but to remind each of us that a young child can drown in as little as one inch of water.

Last summer, I threw a swim party for my daughter and some classmates. One of the parents said her kids wouldn't attend because she had to pick up another of her children during that time. I innocently said, "No problem. There will be plenty of parents here. We'll keep an eye on them for you." She declined the offer, telling me she wouldn't feel comfortable leaving her child around a pool under someone else's care. I'll admit I felt slighted at first. I wondered, didn't she trust me? Then it occurred to me that this wasn't a rude parent, but a smart one.

At that same pool party, a parent wisely put floaties on her daughter and watched as her child swam. When it was time to leave, mom removed the floaties. A few minutes later, her daughter jumped back into the pool with the other kids, forgetting she had taken off the floaties. Her mom frantically jumped in after her, and we were all reminded that disaster can occur in just a few seconds!

I've been to pool parties where smart hosts have hired a lifeguard. But that lifeguard isn't a license for parents--or hosts, who may bear the legal liability for a drowning--to relax completely. One person cannot solely supervise what may be a dozen children in all areas of the pool at once. More importantly, the well-intended eyes of others aren't a substitute for a parent's own vigilance.

The unfortunate death of 7-year-old Paolo Ayala appears to have struck the right chord among some parents. A recent Los Angeles Times story reported an increase in the number of people signing up for CPR classes, swim lessons and the number of parents hiring lifeguards for private swim parties, since the boy's death.

But, according to the American Red Cross, the most important water safety tip is also the most basic: learn to swim. They offer learn to swim programs that will start preparing children to swim as young as 6 months. They also offer a 20-minute video on how to safely enjoy your home pool.

As you prepare for a summer full of family fun, make it a safe one by putting swimming lessons at the top of your list. It could save your family from a lifetime of grief, or make you a hero to someone else whose life you might save.

For more information about pool safety, go to www.redcross.org.