KEEP KIDS COOL WITH POOL SAFETY

The following article is from Rachel Olis with Children's of Alabama.

When school is out and the summertime heat arrives, kids of all ages will be
clamoring to spend their time at the pool. While the pool can be a fun and relaxing
retreat for families, in the blink of an eye it can turn into a nightmare. Nearly
1,000 kids die every year by drowning and it is the second leading cause of
accidental death for people between the ages of 5 - 24. It is important to remember
that drowning is preventable if people take the time to learn and utilize the proper
safety precautions.

Supervision for swimmers is the most important element of pool safety. “There really
isn’t an age for someone to swim unsupervised, even when you’re an adult, it is
always best to swim with a buddy,” said Karen Cochrane, RN, patient health and
safety expert at Children’s of Alabama. “In case something happened, there would be
somebody there to help you.”

Here are just a few safety measures that will help keep your family’s time at the
pool enjoyable and safe:

1. Invest in proper-fitting, Coast Guard-approved flotation devices (life vests) and
use them whenever a child is near water. Check the weight and size recommendations
on the label, then have your child try it on to make sure it fits snugly. For kids
younger than 5 years old, choose a vest with a strap between the legs and head
support — the collar will keep the child's head up and face out of the water.
Inflatable vests and arm devices such as water wings are not effective protection
against drowning.
2. If you don't already, it's a good idea to learn how to swim, and kids older than 4
years should learn, too (check the local recreation center for classes taught by
qualified instructors). Kids who are younger (but older than age 1) also might
benefit from swimming lessons, but check with your doctor first. Don't assume that a child who knows how to swim isn't at risk for drowning. All kids need to be supervised in the water, no matter what their swimming skill levels. And infants, toddlers, and weak swimmers should have an adult swimmer within arm's reach to provide "touch supervision."
To learn more about how to keep the pool safe for your family, visit
www.childrensal.org.