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By Diane Griffith, HealthAtoZ writer
Whether you choose the ocean, a lake or the local pool, you'll probably need to take a dip this summer to get relief from the heat. No matter how inviting the waters, though, tragedy can happen. Now is a good time to review the rules.
From toddlers who wander into family pools to swimmers caught up in the ocean's currents, neglecting to take the proper precautions can lead to deadly results.
Drowning
Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death, averaging approximately 8,000 deaths per year in the United States. Forty percent of these deaths occur in children younger than 5 years of age, with the majority being age 2. Half of all drownings occur between May and June, then in August.
Backyard pools are especially hazardous to young children. Above-ground pools are less dangerous because the height of the pool itself is a barrier, as well as the fence at the top of the steps that comes with many of these pools.
Children who can't swim should wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I personal floatation device (PFD) when playing in or near water. When the child has more control in the water, he or she can move into a type II PFD.
"Water wings" or "floaties" are not a replacement for a PFD and will not keep a child who falls into the water afloat. Don't let the idea of floaties give you or your child a false sense of security. A Coast Guard-approved PFD is the only safe option for a child who can't swim.
Rules for home pools:
- Learn to swim.
- Teach children to swim at the earliest age possible.
- Never leave a young child unattended near the pool. Don't take your eyes off the child, not even for a few seconds.
- When near the pool, have children who can't swim wear Coast Guard-approved PFDs.
- Don't allow running near the pool.
- Don't allow anyone to swim alone.
- Keep a phone by the pool for emergencies.
- Know how to do CPR.
- Install a fence around your pool at least four-feet high (local laws and ordinances may vary) with a self-closing and self-locking gate, with latches out of reach of a child.
- Keep lifesaving equipment near the pool.
- Don't allow inflatable toys or floats to replace parental supervision. Such devices often fail.
- Don't drink alcohol while swimming or supervising children.
Rules for lakes, rivers and the ocean:
- Swim within visibility of a lifeguard.
- Supervise children at all times.
- Have children who can't swim wear Coast Guard-approved PFDs.
- Don't allow anyone to swim alone.
- Never dive without knowing the depth of the water and never dive into shallow water.
- Don't swim so far that you don't have the energy to swim back to shore.
- Don't drink alcohol while swimming or supervising children.
- Don't swim against the ocean's current. If caught in a current, swim across - not against - it. You will gradually swim out of it.
Safety devices
Finally, if you have your own backyard pool, invest in a safety device to protect young children. Safety devices include poolside alarms and alarms for doors, gates and children's wrists.
No device, though, can substitute for parental supervision. The best way to protect your children is to always know where they are and to never assume that someone else is watching them.
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External Sources
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National Safety Council
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American Red Cross
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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