POOL SAFETY: 10 ways to keep your young ones safe around swimming pools this summer
Phoenix, Arizona: The tragic death of one-year-old Zion Rodgers after he was found unconscious in a backyard swimming pool and the news that a three-year-old was hospitalized after falling into a pool in the city on Thursday evening, has brought into sharp focus the safety issues surrounding young children around swimming pools.
As Maricopa county is gripped by a heat wave and temperatures skyrocket, swimming pools increasingly become centers of activity for community and family. So it's all the more important that parents, caretakers, and friends pay closer attention to the safety of young children in and around pools. Here are few tips.
Constant Supervision: Always keep a close eye on children when they are in or near the pool. Never leave them unattended, even for a moment.
Pool Fencing: Isolation fences with self-closing, self-latching gates around the pool are a great way to prevent tragedy. The fence should be at least four feet high to prevent children from accessing the pool area unsupervised.
Pool Alarms: Use pool alarms to alert you if someone enters the pool area. Door alarms, gate alarms, and underwater alarms can provide additional layers of security.
Swimming Lessons: Enroll children in age-appropriate swimming lessons to teach them basic water safety and swimming skills.
CPR Training: Ensure that all caregivers and family members know CPR and can respond quickly in case of an emergency.
Pool Covers: Use pool covers when the pool is not in use. Ensure the cover fits securely and cannot be easily removed by children.
Clear the Pool Area: Remove toys, floats, and other objects from the pool area when not in use to prevent children from being tempted to enter the water.
Safety Equipment: Keep lifesaving equipment, such as a life ring or reaching pole, readily accessible near the pool.
Establish Rules: Set and enforce pool rules, such as no running, pushing, or diving in shallow water. Make sure children understand the importance of following these rules.
Educate About Drain Safety: Teach children to stay away from pool drains and other openings to avoid entrapment. Ensure pool drains comply with safety standards to prevent accidents.
Tragic numbers tell a scary tale
In the US, drowning is a significant cause of accidental deaths among children. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), between 2019 and 2021, there was an average of 358 pool- or spa-related fatal drownings annually among children younger than 15. Nearly 75% of these victims were children under the age of five.
In 2021 alone, 380 fatal child drownings were reported, marking a 12% increase from the previous year. Additionally, an estimated 6,500 nonfatal drowning injuries in pools or spas were treated in hospital emergency departments each year during 2021-2023, with 77% of these injuries involving children under five.
According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages one to four and the second leading cause for children ages five to 14. The majority of these incidents occur in residential settings, such as the child's home or the home of a family member, friend, or neighbor.