08/05/2014Think Safety for the 2014 Swimming Season

The summer swimming season is upon us and many people will be using their backyard pool or visiting a lake to cool off this summer. Unfortunately, statistics tell us that injuries and possibly deaths will occur as a result of people enjoying a summer swim and accidentally drowning.

On average, it is estimated that nine people drown each day in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control, drowning is also the leading cause of death for infants and young children between the ages of 1-4.

Avoid swimming alone.
Designate adults to watch children when having a swimming party.
Never leave children alone or unattended near a swimming pool, even for a second.
When supervising a child who is swimming, adults need to always maintain “touch supervision swimming” – meaning the adult can reach out and touch or assist that child at any moment if needed.
When supervising a child who is swimming, an adult should never be distracted or engaged in any other activity.
Of all preschoolers who drown, 70% are in the care of one or both parents at the time of drowning and 75% are missing for five minutes or less.
Install a fence around your pool, and lock the gate to the pool when not in use.
Remove all toys from the swimming pool when not in use, toys attract children.
Consider installing a pool alarm, which will sound if a person enters the pool area.
Teach children to swim at an early age.
Take the time to learn CPR.
Install a phone outside near the pool.
If you have an above ground pool, remove the ladder when not in use.
If a child is missing, always check the pool first. Time is important. The majority of children who survive non-fatal submersions are discovered within two minutes.