Pool Safety
When the pools are open -- it is the time to be aware of some water safety tips!
Did you know that drowning was the second leading cause of preventable death in children aged 1 to 14? There are things that you can teach your children, and know to do yourself, that will help to keep them safe. Please visit the Safe Kids Water Safety Campaign site.
This site has a great deal of useful information and also has downloadable tips sheets for parents and children. Once on the web site, look on the right-hand side to see links for the downloadable pdf files. There are even tips if you own a pool or a hot tub. For those of you without computer or Internet access, here’s a sampling of these important life saving tips:
- Keep gates to the pool area latched. Young children might not be able to open the gate if it is latched; this simple step can help to prevent drowning.
- Learn infant and child CPR. For CPR classes, contact the American Red Cross at (757) 253-0228.
- Don’t rely on water wings or other inflatable toys. If your child can’t swim, stay within an arm’s reach of them.
- Teach children how to tread water, float and get out of the pool.
- While supervising children, stay alert and avoid distractions like reading or talking on the telephone.
- Teach children how to swim after Age 4. This is typically the earliest age when they are likely to practice and retain information.
- Never dive in water less than nine feet deep.
- Never run, jump or push on others in the pool.
- Tie up long hair securely to keep it from being caught in the drain.
- Teach your children to stay away from pool and hot tub drains.
Twenty-nine percent of drownings involving children 5 to 14 years old occur in open bodies of water. Lifeguards are not enough. The typical lifeguard-to-swimmer ratio at public swimming areas may be as high as 25 swimmers per lifeguard!
Tips for swimming in open bodies of water:
- Appoint a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults. Keep a phone nearby in case of an emergency.
- Make sure kids swim only in areas designated for swimming.
- Teach children how to tread water, float and stay by the shore.
- Teach children not to dive into oceans, lakes or rivers because you never know how deep the water is or what might be hidden under the surface of the water, like rocks or other dangerous objects.
- Teach children that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool. They need to be aware of uneven surfaces, river currents, ocean undertow and changing weather.
- Do not let kids operate personal watercraft such as jet skis. These are intended for adults and require special training.
- Links
And, finally, learn infant and child CPR. Enjoy the summer fun at the pool!
Stay Safe,
Margaret Tucker, James City County Fire Department
Fire Educator
(757) 253-0574
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