Stay Cool and Safe at the Pool
Stay cool, be cool and follow the rules at the pool

 

[July 20, 2019] 

Pools are a favorite destination for many Illinoisans to cool off during the hot summer months. Extremely hot and muggy weather is forecast across Illinois to end the week into the weekend meaning many people will head to the pool. It’s important to follow all posted rules and to pay attention to your children. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1-4 according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In 2018 between Memorial Day and Labor Day, at least 148 children younger than 15 fatally drowned in swimming pools or spas according to the USA Swimming Foundation across the United States. In Illinois during that same time period, 6 children under the age of 15 drown.

A national public education campaign run by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) called Pool Safety was launched in 2010. This campaign was mandated by the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act and helps provide safety information that parents, caregivers and pool owners should take into consideration to ensure safety in and around pools and spas. This act was named after Virginia Graeme Baker, a seven-year-old girl who drowned after she was trapped under water by a powerful suction from a hot tube drain.

Here are some simple steps to keep children safer in and around the water:

• Install a four-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate around all pools and spas. Always check to make sure the gate is locked or closed when leaving the pool or spa!

• Keep the pool and deck clear of floats, balls and toys after you leave the pool.

• Always swim with a buddy.

• Designate an adult Water Watcher to supervise children at all times around the water. Stay off your phone, put your book down, and pay attention to whoever is in or around the water!

• Never leave a child unattended in or near water.

• Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim

• Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults

• Teach children to stay away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments

• Ensure any pool or spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal safety standards. If you do not know, ask your pool service provider about safer drain covers.

Take the Pool Safety Pledge by visiting: www.poolsafety.gov/pledge.

[Illinois Office of Communication and Information]