In
the time it takes to answer a phone, a child can drown…..
In recent years an average of approximately 250 children under
5 years of age drowned in pools nationwide. More than half of these
deaths occurred in the summer months. Among unintentional injuries,
drowning is the second leading cause of death to this age group
after motor vehicle accidents. Another 2,700 children are treated
in hospital emergency rooms each year for near-drowning incidents.
A child may survive the immersion, but still suffer severe, permanent
brain damage requiring life-long hospitalization.
Drowning is
an all or nothing event. A child loses consciousness in 20 seconds
or less.
Most adults assume that if their child falls
into the pool, they will hear splashing and screaming, giving them
plenty of time to react. The reality is drowning happens quickly
and silently – without warning.
Why do Children Drown?
Children under the age of five have no fear of water. They associate
water with play, not with danger. Though it seems obvious, close
supervision of young children is vital for families with a home
pool but not just when outside using the pool. In most childhood
drownings, the child was last seen safely indoors – taking
a nap, playing alongside other children or watching TV. Also,
just because a child knows how to swim, doesn’t mean they
are drown-proof.
Where Do Drownings Occur?
Children under the age of five drown most often in residential
pools and spas. But any amount of water that covers a child’s
mouth and nose can result in a drowning. (As little as two inches
of water.) Always look for unsuspecting areas of water where
children may be at risk such as toilets, buckets, ice chests
and wading pools.
Who is Watching the Kids?
Adults must establish and communicate who is responsible for child
supervision. A common scenario of childhood drownings is that
if often occurs because one parent mistakenly thought the other
one was watching the child. Always maintain constant visual supervision
of children in and around the pool area. Never leave a child
alone near water for any reason even for a few seconds.
Preventing Childhood Drownings
The key to preventing these tragedies is to have layers of protection.
This includes placing barriers around your pool to prevent access,
such as a five-foot fence, using alarms on doors that access
the pool and being prepare in case of an emergency. Learn CPR.
If a child is missing always check the pool area first.
The Anaheim
Fire Department offers more…
The Anaheim
Fire Department pool safety tips in English (157kb
pdf file) or Spanish (23kb
pdf file).
The Anaheim
Fire Department pool safety check-off sheet. English (44kb
pdf file)
Check out the
action steps for drowning prevention from the Anaheim Fire Department.
English and Spanish (175kb pdf file)
Check out some
of the pool safety products.
English (123kb
pdf file) or Spanish (27kb
pdf file)
