Pool Safety: Watch Your Children

Pool Safety: Watch Your Children

Most drownings happen quickly and silently -- but often with people nearby. Safe Kids Mid-South, led by Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, strongly urges parents and adult caregivers to designate a "Water Watcher" by the pool, spa or any body of water. This responsible adult assumes the role of actively watching any child in or near the water. A short phone call, text message or other simple distraction is all it takes for a tragedy to happen.

Here are some other pool and spa tips:

LOCK

  • Put up a fence that is at least 4 feet high and surrounds all side of the pool or spa. The fence should have a gate that closes and latches itself.
  • Use door, gate and pool alarms.
  • Teach children not to play or swim near pool or spa drains.
  • Use approved safety drain covers and back-up devices.

LOOK

  • Always actively watch children in or near water.
  • Watch them even if they know how to swim.
  • Children who can't swim or can't swim well should be within your reach.
  • Keep a phone near you to use only if you need to call for help.
  • If a child is missing, look in the pool or spa first.

LEARN

  • Both adults and children should learn to swim.
  • Learn when to use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
  • Learn how to use rescue equipment.
  • Learn CPR.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Most children were being watched by an adult juts before they drowned.
  • Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children.
  • Approximately 400 children ages 14 and younger drown each year in pools or spas.
  • Home swimming pools are the most common place for a child younger than 5 to drown

For more information, please visit www.makeasplashmidsouth.org

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