Parental precautions prevent tragedy

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), August, 2005

Adult supervision is the key to keeping children safe in backyard pools, maintains Underwriters Laboratories Inc., Northbrook. Ill., an independent, not-for-profit testing and certification organization. According to the the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Bethesda, Md., more than 250 children under the age of five drown each year, most frequently in home swimming pools. Moreover, in 2004, some 2,300 children were treated at emergency rooms for nonfatal, near-drowning incidents. That number is up from 1,800 for 2003.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga., reports that more than 40% of the youngsters who receive emergency treatment also require hospitalization. Even nonfatal incidents can cause brain damage, ranging from memory difficulties and learning disabilities to a permanent vegetative state.

"Contrary to what you might think, children drown silently. There's not a lot of splashing or crying for help," reveals John Drengenberg, manager of Consumer Affairs for Underwriters Laboratories. "Every second counts when preventing a drowning accident."

Drengenberg points out that, in many drownings, children had been missing for less than five minutes. He strongly recommends following the 10/20 rule. "The supervising adult needs to be able scan the pool within 10 seconds and reach the pool within 20 seconds," he explains.

Other safety tips include:

* If a child is missing, always check the pool first.

* Be sure the pool is in plain sight from the house, Remove any vegetation or objects that obstruct a clear view.

* Supervise young children constantly, even those who have had swimming lessons.

* Recognize that inflatable swimming aids are not safety devices. They are toys that can puncture and deflate quickly.

* Remove all toys when leaving the water, as they may attract youngsters to the unattended pool.

* Learn infant and child CPR and have kids take swimming lessons.

* Keep rescue devices such as life preservers at poolside.

* Always drain wading pools after kids are done playing. Infants can drown in just a few inches of water.

* Have a telephone nearby and appropriate emergency numbers posted.

Safety experts also suggest erecting multiple barriers of protection between children and pools, thus ensuring that the pool is inaccessible when not in use. Build a fence at least four feet high with a self-latching gate that has a locking mechanism beyond a child's reach. The fence should completely separate the pool from the house and play area of the yard. Cut overhanging tree limbs and remove chairs and ladders from the area to prevent youngsters from climbing over the fence. For above-ground pools, remove ladders and portable steps. For in-ground pools, a motion sensor and gate alarm are recommended.

"But barriers are no substitute for adult supervision," Drengenberg emphasizes. "We all need to be more aware and attentive whenever our families are around pools."