The Other View

Kids Safety Bulletin - Swimming Pools

Today as we ate lunch by the pool at the hotel  I couldn't help but notice that we could see less than 6 inches into the water  and there was no life guard..... The water actually had a touch of a green tint to it and it was very cloudy..... I couldn't help but think of all the times I've heard or read of children being found on the bottom and nobody knowing they were even in there because of the foggy water..... Then I began to wonder why the health department who is supposed to make frequent inspections would allow this pool to stay open when it is this dirty.....  I wonder how many dirty pools there are on one given day and how many go without lifeguards..... Parents should never allow children to swim alone but I see it go on a lot more than I would like..... These are old safety tips but they can never be put in writing enough.......

Pools prove to be deadly for American kids each year.  Consider the following statistics reported by the Mayo Clinic:

·        Approximately 300 children under the age of 5 drown in backyard swimming pools nationwide each year. 

·        Nearly 70% of the children who drown were not expected to be near the pool when they were found in the water.

·        In the remaining 30% of cases, most children were being supervised by one or both parents, proving that it only takes a few moments for a child to slip under the surface and drown.  

Using the following tips to ensure fun and safety for your kids in and around the pool 

1. Install pool alarms – floating pool alarms alert you that something or someone is in the water (like a toddler who accidentally falls in)
2. Fence it in – Make sure access to your pool is blocked.  Fences and walls should be taller than a child and completely surround the pool.  All gates or doors leading to the pool should be self-latching and impossible for a child to open. 
3. Cover it up – A motor-powered safety cover can provide a barrier over the water when the pool is not in use. 
4. Maintain proper chemical mixture – improper chemicals can cause cloudy water that can mask dangers at the bottom or make it difficult to see children under water. 
5. Remove toys – Don’t leave pool toys in the water.  Children may try to retrieve a toy they wish to play with and fall in. 
6. Learn CPR and rescue techniques
7. Stock first aid equipment – First Aid should always be within close proximity of the pool because of the high risk for injury.
8. Monitor your kids at all times while they swim – Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool.  During social gatherings near pools, designate an adult to watch the water.  

Would you swim  if you couldn't see the bottom...??