Nearly 750 children ages 14 and under died in 2007 in the U.S. due to an unintentional drowning. In addition, in 2009 there was an estimated 5,016 children injured due to a near drowning incident. Since Memorial Day, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that there have been 48 child drownings and 75 near-drownings in pools and spas alone in 35 states and territories as reported by the media.
“A child in or near water can get into trouble in a matter of seconds,” said Meri-K Appy, president of Safe Kids USA. “Safe Kids promotes ‘Lock, Look, and Learn,’ to help remind parents and caregivers that layers of protection help keep children safe, such as using barriers, fences, and anti-entrapment devices for home pools and spas, actively supervising your children, learning how to swim and enrolling your children in swimming, and knowing basic water rescue skills, such as CPR.”
Although 90 percent of parents say they supervise their children while swimming, many acknowledge that they engage in other distracting activities at the same time – talking, eating, reading or taking care of another child. In fact, a parent or caregiver claimed to be supervising the child in nearly 9 out of 10 drowning-related deaths.
While there is no substitute for active supervision, learning how to swim is an important skill for both parents and children to learn. In fact, new studies indicate that teaching children to swim between the ages of 6 and 12 months old is a great way to build their confidence in the water while at the same time teaching them water safety skills. These lessons are literally saving lives, your child will learn about water safety skills and what they should do if they fall in the pool.
In the summer months, between May and August, drowning deaths among children increase 89 percent over the rest of the year. And, home swimming pools are the most common site for a drowning to occur with a child less than 5 years of age.
To help keep your kids safe in or around the water, Safe Kids recommends these Lock, Look, and Learn reminders for parents.
Lock
If you have a pool or spa, or if your child visits a home that has a pool or spa, it should be surrounded on all four sides by a fence at least 4-feet high with self-closing and self-latching gates. Studies estimate that this type of isolation fencing could prevent 50 to 90 percent of child drownings in residential pools.
Make sure all pools and spas have compliant anti-entrapment drain covers and back up devices to ensure safer places for children to swim.
When not in use, all pools, including portable inflatable pools and spas, should be covered and secured. Ladders to above ground pools and spas should be locked or removed.
Watch children even if they know how to swim – knowing how to swim does not prevent drowning.
If a child is missing, check the water first.
Know how to swim and enroll your kids in swimming lessons.
Learn CPR and know how to use rescue equipment – these are important skills to know if there is an emergency.
Learn how to choose the right life jacket depending on the water activity, your child’s size, and weight. Don’t rely on inflatable swimming toys such as “water wings” and noodles; these toys should never be used in place of U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets. Children who can’t swim well or can’t swim at all should be within your arm’s reach.
Teach children water safety rules such as never swim alone, always wear a life jacket while boating, and never swim or play near pool or spa drains.
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