Water Safety Tips to Keep Children in the Pool Safe This Summer – NBC10 Philadelphia

As the temperature begins to rise each summer, so does the number of drowning deaths.

Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children aged 1 to 4 years and the second leading cause of unintentional death among children aged 5 to 9 years. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency reported that more than 60% of deadly drownings of children under the age of 4 occur in swimming pools.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and American Red Cross We encourage homeowners to follow these safety tips to prevent tragedy and keep a well-kept pool in the backyard:

SAFETY IN THE SWIMMING POOL

1. Install appropriate barriers, covers and alarms: Provide your pool with appropriate barriers. Completely surround your pool with a 4-foot-high fence or barrier with self-closing, self-closing gates. If the pool or hot tub is not in use, cover the protective cover and remove any stairs or steps used for access. Think about installing a pool alarm that goes off when someone enters the pool.
2. Never leave a child unattended in or near water: Always keep an eye on children when they are in or near water, and never leave them unattended. Appoint an official water observer, an adult entrusted with the supervision of children in the water. This should be their only task – they should not read, write text messages or play games on their phone. Always have a phone nearby in case you need to call for help and if a child is missing, check the pool first.
3. Teach children to swim: Swimming is not only fun, it is a life-saving skill. Enroll children in swimming lessons; there are many free or cheap options available at your local YMCA, Section on sailing in the USA or the Parks and Recreation Department. Ask young or inexperienced swimmers to wear life jackets approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
4. Teach children to stay away from sewers: Do not play or swim near sewer or suction openings, especially in spas and shallow pools, and never enter a pool or spa that is leaking, broken, or missing a drain cap. Children’s hair, limbs, jewelry, or bathing suits can get stuck in the drain or suction hole. If you use a spa, be sure to find an emergency vacuum shutdown before you get into the water.
5. Keep the pool water clean and clean: Maintain proper chemical levels, circulation and filtration. Regularly check and adjust chemical levels to minimize the risk of ear pain, rashes or more serious illnesses.
6. Have an emergency response plan: Make sure everyone in the house knows how to respond to water emergencies by having appropriate safety equipment and taking courses in water safety, first aid and CPR. Passers-by are often the first to help the victim, so CPR training can help save lives. And once you get your CPR certification, make sure your certification is up to date. CPR classes are available at many hospitals, community centers, or by contacting the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS or support@redcrosstraining.org.

Experts warn that children drown more in open water – lakes, ponds and rivers – than in swimming pools.

Swimming in open water, such as ponds, lakes, oceans and rivers, poses various risks to children. According to the CDC, children 5 years of age and older are more likely to drown in open water, with the risk of drowning increasing with age.

The average 10-year-old child, for example, is three times more likely to drown in open water than in a swimming pool. According to the Red Cross, more than 100 people die each year due to the rupture of currents on US beaches.

Ponds, lakes, rivers and oceans: SAFETY IN OPEN WATERS

1. Hidden dangers: Teach children that swimming in open water is different from swimming in a pool. Know the hidden dangers of open water such as limited visibility, sudden falls, currents, underwater currents and changing weather.
2. Allocated places for bathing: Look for posted danger signs on open water. Swim with a friend in a designated area, which is under the supervision of rescuers. Follow warnings and special instructions from rescuers or other authorities, as well as flags and signs.
3. Wear a life jacket: Weak swimmers and children who cannot swim should wear life jackets at all times when boating or participating in other water activities. Choose a jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard that matches your child’s weight and activity in the water.
4. Know how to respond to a water emergency: It is important to know how to respond to an emergency without putting yourself at risk of drowning. Sign up for Red Cross courses on water safety, first aid and CPR to learn what to do. Know where rescuers are and how to call 9-1-1 in an emergency.