Keeping Your Family Safe This Pool Season

It’s that time of the year again — pool season! As temperatures rise, there’s nothing more fun for kids to do than splash away in the nearest pool. However, parents, grandparents and care providers must also be aware of the dangers that come with access to swimming pools.
 
Drowning is the No. 1 cause of unintentional, accidental death among children 1-4 years of age, both here in Orange County and across California. For each tragic drowning death in this age group, there are 15 nonfatal drowning incidents that can lead to lifelong medical problems.

 Childhood drowning is predictable and it is preventable. Drowning can happen to any family. It occurs in an instant and it is often silent.

Here are a few ways you can keep your children safe this pool season:

Purchase U.S. Coast Guard-approved Life Jackets
When heading to the pool, put a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket on young children and all unskilled swimmers. Remember that “floaties” are pool toys that can be hazardous — they do not prevent drowning. A U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket should be put on children at home before leaving for the pool and should not be removed until you exit the pool area.

Supervision
Watching a child at the pool — including community pools & spas — is critical! If you are responsible for watching a child, you cannot be distracted by cell phones or conversations with others. And, if you have more than one child, consider having two adults as “water watchers.”

Install a 4-sided Isolation Fence
Not only does a 4-sided fence around your backyard pool keep kids safe, it can also protect older adults suffering from dementia, and provides a safety barrier for pets and other animals that may wander into your yard.

Swimming Lessons
The best way to prevent a person from drowning is to ensure they know how to swim. The City and the YMCA both offer low-cost, high-quality swim lessons.

First Aid Training
Enroll the whole family in a CPR/AED class so that everyone in your household knows how to respond and offer assistance in an emergency situation. The City offers these classes. You can also find workshops through the Red Cross.
 
These five simple steps can keep everyone in your family safe while having fun in the pool this summer.

Click here to read a list of questions you should ask to keep your child safe in and around water at summer camp.