Safe swimming practices are key to summer fun         

The Home Safety Council reminds families that drowning is sudden and silent

[JUNE 13, 2005]  WASHINGTON -- With warm temperatures here, families are jumping into the pool for summertime relief. Home Safety Council research shows that for children, drowning is the fifth-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death and the second-leading cause of death related to injury at home. Many drowning deaths at home are related to swimming pools. Practicing basic safety precautions in and around pools and spas at home can help families avoid injuries and safely enjoy their poolside gatherings.

"If parents can keep in mind just one thing, it would be the need for constant supervision around any body of water," says Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. "What many people don't realize is that drowning occurs suddenly and silently. The most certain way to prevent a drowning is for parents to stay within arm's reach of their children at all times around any standing water."

As families enjoy the long days of summer, the Home Safety Council recommends the following basic safety steps.

Backyard water safety

• Practice constant adult supervision at all times when children are around any body of water. Adults must stay within an arm's reach of young children when they are near water.
• Older children should not be left in charge of younger children in the pool area.
• Assign specific adults to keep an eye on the pool at all times. When you have pool parties, formally assign adults to pool supervision shifts to ensure the children are watched closely throughout the party.
• Install four-sided fencing that isolates the pool and spa from the home. Four-sided pool fencing is proven to be an effective drowning prevention intervention. Pool fencing should be at least 5 feet high and have self-locking and self-closing gates.
• Position gate latches out of the reach of young children, and never prop the gate open or disable the latch.
• Clear debris, clutter and pool toys from the pool deck and adjoining pathways to prevent slips and falls.

• Keep a cordless, water-resistant telephone in the pool area, and post emergency numbers near the pool area.
• Enroll nonswimmers in swimming lessons taught by a qualified instructor. [Lincoln Park District swim lessons]
• Never swim alone. Even experienced swimmers and adults should always swim with a buddy.
• Learn and practice lifesaving techniques, including first aid and CPR. Require that anyone who cares for your children learn CPR.
• Keep poolside rescue equipment close to the pool area.

To learn more about how to create a safe swim environment, please visit www.homesafetycouncil.org.

About Home Safety Council

The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping prevent the more than 21 million medical visits on average that occur each year from unintentional injuries in the home. Through national programs and partners across America, the Home Safety Council works to educate and empower families to take actions that help keep them safe in and around their homes. To learn more about the council's programs, partnerships and resources, visit www.homesafetycouncil.org.

[Home Safety Council news release]