I am struck to write this to remind myself what more I can do to keep my own children safer while we are at the pool this summer....
Why am I doing this? Because a 4 year old boy from my neighborhood drowned at a Club Pool on Saturday. There were 7 lifeguards on duty at the time AND his mom was there. He was pulled from the pool unconscious and they rushed his to the emergency room where he died the next day. I am just sick over this! So it lead me to do some pool safety research mostly for myself, but a good reminder for all!
A swimming pool can be very dangerous for children. If possible, do not put a swimming pool in your yard until your children are older than 5 years. Help protect your children from drowning by doing the following:
- Never leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. An adult who knows CPR should actively supervise children at all times.
- Practice touch supervision with children younger than 5 years. This means that the adult is within an arm's length of the child at all times.
- You must put up a fence to separate your house from the pool. Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house and fall into the pool. Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all 4 sides of the pool. This fence will completely separate the pool from the house and play area of the yard. Use gates that self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than your children's reach.
- Keep rescue equipment (such as a shepherd's hook or life preserver) and a telephone by the pool.
- Keep rescue equipment (such as a shepherd's hook or life preserver) and a telephone by the pool.
- Do not use air-filled "swimming aids" as a substitute for approved life vests.
- Remove all toys from the pool after use so children aren't tempted to reach for them.
- After the children are done swimming, secure the pool so they can't get back into it.
- After the children are done swimming, secure the pool so they can't get back into it.
**********Remember, teaching your child how to swim DOES NOT mean your child is safe in water. ******
Have a great, SAFE summer Yall!!!
7 comments:
I was thinking of putting a post like this on my blog, it seems like this is happening everyday. I don't know if you ever check Darleen Meier's blog anymore, her 1 year old niece just drowned the other day in their hot tub...it's so scary how fast something like that can happen. Thanks for the reminders!
I heard on the news a few days ago that a 10 year old boy "dry drowning" as they call it. He drowned from with in. He lungs filled up with water causing him to drown. He appeared fine until he was complaining that we was tired and wanting to take a nap. He never recovered...
That is heart wrenching! Thanks for sharing and getting me more aware of water safety. I believe that even though kids learn to swim, it doesn't mean they will recall how in a moment of panic- I think people use that as false hope too often. I just try to be with my kids all the time while they are even near water. You can never be too safe!
wow- how very sad but an important reminder. That poor boy and his family. And with that many people around? How scary. Thanks for the reminder! I can't imagine a worse nightmare.
We are constantly hearing about children drowing here in Florida. They call it "The Silent Killer" because you can't hear a child that is drowing, so it can happen without anyone noticing. Drowing is the number one cause of death in children under 5 years old in this state. There was a 4 year old here who just drown after he got out of his house, pulled a chair up and climbed OVER the safety fence they had. SO SCARY!! Having the pool is nice, but it causes A LOT of anxiety.
Oh my gosh. the chills will not go away. Heart breaking. You know its so sad because as you pointed out, there were eve several adults around. Its good to be reminded of these things because even when trying to be careful, accidents can happen. I am so sorry for this sad news!!
oh, that is soooo sad and so scary! thanks for the post!
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