Pool Season Means CPSC Is Talking About Safety

With the opening of pools across the country, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is asking that parents be thinking ahead about safety. Pool Safely: Simple Steps Save Lives campaign is releasing its 2011 television and radio public service announcements (PSAs) highlighting various water safety steps that can be taken to save a life. In the first few months of 2011, there have been 37 drownings and 38 near-drowning incidents reported by the media across America.

The reason:

• From 2005-2007 there was an annual average of 385 pool and spa-related drownings for children younger than 15; about 78 percent, or 299, of these children were younger than five.
• From 2007-2009, there were an estimated average of 4,200 pool or spa emergency department-treated submersions for children younger than 15; and children between the ages of 12 to 35 months represented 47 percent of estimated injuries for these years.
• About 54 percent of the estimated injuries for 2007 – 2009 and 74 percent of the fatalities for 2005 – 2007 involving children younger than fifteen occurred at a residence.
• Most reported fatalities occurred on the day of (73 percent) or within a week of (additional 23 percent) the submersion incident. Just four percent of fatal victims survived beyond a week of the submersion; these victims had severe injuries and required intensive medical care.
• There were no reported entrapment fatalities for 2009. CPSC did receive eight reports of entrapment incidents in which seven people were injured during 2009.

Minnesota saw the tragic death of Abigail Taylor which helped change federal and state laws. Hopefully, the drain changes will lead to a safe seasons for all children.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission sent out a Swimming Pool Safety Alert. The report also included the following suggestions:

– Always check the pool first if a child is missing, reaction time is vital.

-Learn CPR

– Never use a pool or spa with a missing or broken drain cover.

– Don’t run when you are around the pool.

– Take the time to teach children to swim. My own boys have been taking lessons for years. It helps to have the peace of mind that they know many of the safety rules.

For those interested in more information they should visit PoolSafety.gov.