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Get water wise... supervise!
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[May 04, 2007]
Summer
is almost here, and kids throughout Illinois will be heading to
swimming pools, lakes and "kiddie" pools for fun and relief from the
heat. But don't forget that children are quick and curious and
should be supervised at all times in or near water. In 2002, there
were 18 accidental drowning deaths in Illinois. Education and adult
supervision could have prevented these deaths. Please use the
following safety tips to help protect children from water-related
tragedy in the summer months and all year around.
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Swimming pools:
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Keep ladders,
patio furniture and toys away from above-ground pools. Toddlers
are better climbers than you might think!
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Fence in pool and
lock the gate. Pool safety covers and alarms provide added
protection.
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Young children
should wear or use personal flotation devices, but remember that
these devices do not replace adult supervision. They could
deflate or slip from underneath a child, leaving him in a
dangerous situation.
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Remind baby
sitters and other caretakers not to leave children unattended
near or in water.
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Appoint an adult
who can swim to watch kids during pool parties.
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Learn CPR and keep
rescue equipment, a telephone and emergency numbers near all
pools. Seconds count when it comes to preventing death or
serious injury.
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Baby pools:
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Don't be lulled
into a false sense of security because of the shallowness of
baby pools. Did you know that a small child could drown in as
little as 2 inches of water? Children should always be
supervised when they are in a baby pool.
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Empty the pool
immediately after use and store it upside down.
Bathtubs:
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Never leave a
young child alone in a bathtub.
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Don't rely on a
bathtub seat for safety.
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Don't allow
children to play alone in bathrooms.
Buckets:
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Remember that
five-gallon buckets of water pose a threat to babies and
toddlers who may topple into them while playing and be unable to
free themselves.
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Empty and store
all buckets out of children's reach.
[Text from
Department of Child and Family Services poster]
[To download Adobe Acrobat Reader for the PDF file, click
here.]
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