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Swimming Safely
Don't Let Summer Fun Turn Tragic
By Gwen Morrison
Pool Wise
According to a report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year, nationwide, about 300 children under the age of 5 drown in swimming pools. And what's most frightening is that it's usually in their own backyards.
Information gathered from SafeUsa offers key things to note if you currently have a swimming pool in your backyard.
- Install a four-sided, isolation pool fence with self-closing and self-latching gates around the pool. The fence should be at least 4 feet tall.
- Make sure there is a working telephone near the pool. Teach your children how to contact local emergency services.
- After using pool toys, immediately remove them from the pool. Floating toys, beach balls and other toys often tempt children to lean into the pool.
- Always supervise children when they are using the pool. Do not leave the area for any length of time.
- Do not use air-filled swimming aids, such as water wings, as life-saving devices. They are not to take the place of parental supervision. Parents and children often have a false sense of security, which increases the risk of drowning. These aids can often deflate or become unplugged.
- Have an action plan in place in case of an emergency.
Kids just want to have fun – it's the parent's responsibility to ensure that safety comes first!
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