Water Hazards: Protect Your Children With Safe Swim Practices

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With warmer temperatures just around the corner, families will soon be jumping into the pool for summer time relief. Home Safety Council(R) research shows that drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury-related death and the second leading cause of home injury-related death for children. Many drowning deaths at home are related to swimming pools. Practicing basic safety precautions in and around pools and spas at home can help families avoid injuries and safely enjoy their poolside gatherings.

"If parents can keep in mind just one thing, it would be the need for constant supervision around any body of water," says Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. "What many people don't realize is that drowning occurs suddenly and silently. The most certain way to prevent a drowning is for parents to stay within arm's reach of their children at all times around any standing water."

As families look forward to the long days of summer, the Home Safety Council recommends the following basic safety steps.

Backyard Water Safety * Practice constant adult supervision at all times when children are around any body of water. Adults must stay within an arm's reach of young children when they are near water. * Older children should not be left in charge of younger children in the pool area. * Assign specific adults to keep an eye on the pool at all times. When you have pool parties, formally assign adults to pool supervision shifts to ensure the children are watched closely throughout the party. * Install four-sided fencing that isolates the pool and spa from the home. Four-sided pool fencing is proven to be an effective drowning prevention intervention. Pool fencing should be at least five feet high and have self-locking and self-closing gates. * Position gate latches out of the reach of young children and never prop the gate open or disable the latch. * Clear debris, clutter and pool toys from the pool deck and adjoining pathways to prevent falls. * Keep a cordless, water-resistant telephone in the pool area and post emergency numbers near the pool area. * Enroll non-swimmers in swimming lessons taught by a qualified instructor. * Never swim alone. Even experienced swimmers and adults should always swim with a buddy. * Learn and practice lifesaving techniques, including First Aid and CPR. Require that anyone who cares for your children learn CPR. * Keep poolside rescue equipment close to the pool area.

The Home Safety Council(R) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping educate and empower families to take actions that help keep them safe in and around their homes. To learn more about the Council's programs, partnerships and resources, and how to create a safe swim environment visit the Home Safety Council at www.homesafetycouncil.org.