Close supervision, safety rules prevent drowning in pools
Accidental drownings are most likely to occur in a child's own backyard. Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4 in the United States.
More children ages 1 to 4 die from accidental drowning than motor vehicle
accidents, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and
Control.
Nearly 300 children under 5 years old drown in pools each year, and 3,200 other children end up in emergency rooms. Most drowning accidents are in residential pools and at the child's own residence, according to Karen Funkenbusch, a University of Missouri Extension safety expert. Many drownings occur within just a few minutes of a child wandering away. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control information shows that drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4 years old. It is the second-leading cause among children under the age of 14.
"Small children are the most vulnerable because they can fall into a pool without making a sound or crying for help," Funkenbusch says.
The popularity of quick-set pools makes safety measures extremely important, Funkenbusch cautions. These pools are designed to be set-up and taken down each season, so many families may not think about safety measures to prevent drowning.
Pools should have layers of protection to prevent drowning:
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Enclose pools with a 4- to 5-foot high fence or wall — not chain link, which can be climbed, or fences with vertical bars or boards more than four inches apart. Check with your municipality on pool fencing laws.
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Position outdoor furniture away from the fence.
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Use self-closing or self-latching gates. Place latches out of children's reach. Never prop open pool gates.
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Lock or remove ladders or steps when pools are not in use.
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Install a pool alarm. Options include alarms that sound when objects weighing more than 10 pounds fall into the water, gate alarms and wrist-band styles that sound when the alarm gets wet.
Funkenbusch says families should establish and follow strict rules. These rules should include the use of approved personal flotation devices. Do not use inflatable pool toys to keep your child afloat. Pool toys also can attract children to the water, so they should be removed when they are not in use. Never leave your child unattended near the water. And always have a phone and emergency numbers nearby.
Be sure pools are also in proper working order. Few people know of the hidden dangers from drain or suction entrapment, Funkenbusch said. Broken, missing or faulty drain covers can entrap hair, limbs, bodies, jewelry and clothing. Installing an entrapment cover can prevent swimmers from becoming trapped underwater.
Through a combination of close supervision, adherence to rules and implementation of safety measures, pool owners can prevent tragedy, she said.
Story by Eileen Yager
| Photography by Kate Akers
Published Tuesday, July 20, 2010