By Dr. Paul Petry,
Freeman Health System Pediatrician
Few things beat the summer heat quite
as well as taking a dip in the pool. We
all know the classic pool safety rules –
no running, don't use floaties and keep
a close on eye on the kids even when
lifeguards are nearby. But what about
when you're not in the water?
According to a study by U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC),
almost 70% drowning victims under
the age of four were not expected to be
near the water, and almost half were last
seen in the house. As alarming as those
numbers are, there are things you can
do to keep the children in your life safe
around water, even when you're not
planning on going for a swim:
✓
Be aware. Notice and watch for
water in your surroundings when you
are not at home.
✓
Fence it in. The best pool fence is
one that surrounds the pool on all
four sides and cannot be climbed (no
chain link fencing). This fence should be
at least four feet tall, and slats should be
close enough together that a child cannot
squeeze through them.
✓
Keep it closed. The pool fence
should be self-closing and open
outward, away from the pool. Make sure
the latch is high enough to be out of a
child's reach – at least 54 inches off the
ground.
✓
Keep it clean. Don't leave toys in the
pool area that may tempt a curious
child to break into the pool unsupervised.
✓
Don't cover it up. Children can slip
underneath pool covers undetected,
so it's important that the cover fit securely
on the pool and cover the entire pool.
Floating covers are especially hazardous
because the surface may look solid to a
child. Power operated covers are often
safest and easiest to use.
✓
Sound the alarm. Drowning
is silent, but alarms are
not. Consider getting a pool
alarm that can detect
movement in the water
so you can be alerted
if a child gets in the
pool unsupervised.
✓
Teach them
to swim.
Swim lessons
are a great step
towards drowning
prevention.
✓
Check the
water first. If a
child is ever missing
or cannot be found when you are near
water, check the water first. Minutes
matter even more when water is involved.
Keep these tips in mind to enjoy a safe
and fun summer!
For more summer safety tips,
visit healthychildren.org for more
American Association of Pediatrics
recommendations. Visit freemanhealth.
com/pediatrics for more information
about pediatric services at Freeman
Health System.
SponSor Content
www.freemanhealth.com/pediatrics
Staying Safe In
of the Pool
(and Out!)
8 • July 2022 • www.OfficialKidsMag.com
