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Letter to the editor

Guest column

Preventing child drownings starts with design of pool

By BILL WALKER
Published May 11, 2005

As summer fast approaches, it's time to talk about swimming pool safety issues again. For the purpose of this article, pools also include spas.

Too many times you read in the papers, or watch the story played over and over on television that another child has drowned in a backyard swimming pool.

How can this happen so often when there are measures you can take to prevent such tragedies?

Survival depends on rescuing the child quickly and restarting the breathing and circulation processes. Listed below are some of the things you can do to prevent the senseless loss of a loved one's life.

Learn CPR. If your child or a neighbor's child drowns in your pool, will you know what to do? CPR classes are offered free or for a small fee at local fire departments and hospitals. Don't wait for a tragedy to happen. Learn how to save a life.

Secure all doors and gates leading to your pool. Make sure no one goes into the pool without your knowledge.

Floating pool alarms are available to alert you if someone falls in.

Securable pool fences are a great way to keep curious little ones from getting too close. This fence is a barrier that has no footholds or handholds that could help a young child to climb, and it completely surrounds the pool. If the house is part of the barrier, the doors leading to the pool should be protected by an audible alarm. Put alarms on all doors leading to your pool. Alarms can be purchased at pool-supply outlets, or type in "swimming pool safety" in your computer search area and follow the guides. Pool fences are not to be considered child-proof; constant monitoring of children is a must to prevent entry.

Steps and ladders leading to an above-ground pool should be secured, preventing access.

Pool covers should always be removed when the pool is in use.

Keep an alert eye on all children in your care. Never leave a child unattended in or around the pool. Babysitters and guardians should be instructed about potential hazards. Don't leave a small child in the care of another child. Never rely on flotation devices or swimming lessons to protect your child. A minute's distraction can spell disaster if a child wanders into the pool area while you are on the phone.

Designate an adult to be responsible to watch the children in and around the pool. East Lake Fire Rescue has joined SAFE KIDS in distributing "Designated Child Watcher" badges and information about preventing drowning. Pick up a badge today.

Keep a telephone by the pool.

Keep devices like life rings or hooks available and accessible.

Have your children take swimming lessons if they don't already know how to swim. Don't rely on inflatable rings to keep them afloat. If you also don't know how to swim, it might not be a bad idea to take lessons yourself (contact your local YMCA).

Keep all electrical appliances away from your pool. It sounds like common sense, but you would be surprised how many people have radios, TVs or fans near the pool edge.

Don't allow diving in areas of the pool that are not deep enough to dive safely. There are about 700 spinal injuries reported every year from diving in shallow ends of the pool and other bodies of water.

If you stow chlorinated chemicals, don't place any hydrocarbon-based fuel or additive near the container (such as brake fluid, gasoline or oil). Their mixture can cause a fire.

Have your pool and home checked by your local fire department for safety problems, especially if you have toddlers or small children at home.

If you live in the East Lake area, you can call East Lake Fire Rescue at (727) 784-8668 to set up an appointment to have your home and pool area inspected for safety hazards. In other areas of Pinellas County, call the hotline at (727) 592-2074 and leave a message. A return call will direct you to the department that serves your community.

Bill Walker, a registered nurse, is district chief at East Lake Fire Rescue.

The following statistics are found in the booklet Children and Pools: A Safety Checklist

75 percent of child drowning victims were between 12 and 35 months old

65 percent of child drowning victims were males

65 percent of drownings occurred in the pool owned by the child's family, and 33 percent in the homes of friends and relatives where the child was a guest

Nearly half the children were last seen in the house before being found in the pool; 23 percent were last seen playing in the yard, porch or patio; 31 percent were in the pool area just before being found in the water

77 percent of drowning victims had been seen five minutes or less before being missed and found in the pool.

[Last modified May 11, 2005, 00:46:18]