Pool Do’s and Don’ts: Practicing Safety Can Save a Life

PENSACOLA, Fla. (July 22, 2009) – As the days of summer continue, so should the practicing of safe habits. While enjoying the season’s popular outdoor activities such as trips to the pool, be sure to instill basic pool safety in children of any age.

To maximize your fun at the pool, remember the following:

• No running, pushing, dunking or jumping onto others or into shallow water.
• Never dive into above-ground pools. They are too shallow.
• Dive only from the end of the diving board.
• Always maintain supervision of children. Do not leave a child unsupervised for even one second.
• Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.
• Keep toys away from the pool area as a young child distracted by playing with the toys could accidentally fall into the water.
• Keep gates and pool entrances locked when the pool is not in use. The gates should be self-closing, self-latching and have a release mechanism above the reach of small children.
• Keep a phone near the pool for emergencies, but never talk on the phone while you are watching children in the pool.
• Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

Accidental drowning is the leading cause of death among children younger than 5 years of age in the state of Florida. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 260 children younger than 5 years of age drown each year in residential swimming pools and spas. The Commission estimates that another 3,000 children younger than age 5 are treated in hospital emergency rooms following submersion accidents each year. Some of these submersion accidents result in permanent brain damage.

By practicing the above tips, you can protect your child and possibly save a life. Learn CPR now. Contact Baptist LifeFlight at (850) 434-4641 for a schedule of classes.

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