Swimming Pools and Kids: What Are the Dangers?

A boy in a children's swimming pool.
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Swimming with kids can be a fun, healthy activity for the whole family. And families who own pools say nothing beats the convenience and enjoyment of swimming in their own backyards—anytime, year round. But owning a pool comes with the responsibility for safety awareness, especially if children are nearby.

Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in children in the U.S. And recent studies show that, in some states in the nation’s Sunbelt, where more families own pools, drowning is the number one cause of accidental in children under age five.

What are other key statistics regarding children’s risks and dangers when they’re around swimming pools?

• Nationwide more than 300 children under age five drown in residential swimming pools every year. More than 2,000 children in this age group are treated every year in emergency rooms for submersion-related injuries.

• Medical costs for submersion patients can start from about $2,000 for a victim who fully recovers to nearly $100,000 if the patient has brain damage. Victims with severe brain damage can require extended hospital stays (more than four months) and costs can exceed $150,000.

• A recent study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) showed that 65 percent of children’s drowning and submersion incidents took place in a pool at the child’s house. Thirty-three percent of the incidents were in a pool at the residence of friends or relatives.

• The CPSC study showed that pool submersion incidents happen fast. Seventy-seven percent of the victims had been missing from sight less than five minutes.

• The study showed that, during most incidents, a parent was on site, but 69 percent of the children were not expected to be near the pool.

• Toddlers are most at risk, reported the CPSC study, because they are most likely to engage in unexpected behaviors. Seventy-five percent of submersion victims were between the ages of one and three. Most (65 percent) were boys.

• The victim’s welfare depends on how quickly the breathing process is restarted, said the study. Seconds matter when trying to save a child from death or brain damage

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Swimming Pool Barriers: Tips for Effective Isolation Fences

A crowded swimming pool. A conga line is being...
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Accidental injury is the leading cause of death among children ages one to 14 in the U.S., according to a study by Safe Kids USA. One of the top risks for young children is drowning—and this risk is especially high if the child’s family owns a swimming pool.

Studies by safety groups have shown that at the time of most drowning incidents, a parent or a caregiver was supervising the child at the house, but the child got out of the adult’s sight—sometimes for just a few minutes.

Adult supervision is the first line of defense against children’s drowning death or injury, but the National Drowning Prevention Alliance says that “layers of protection” are vital. Swimming pool owners need several barriers to ensure the safety of children in the proximity. Another important “layer of protection” is an isolation fence that forms a barrier around the swimming pool. Studies have shown that isolation fences, used properly, can prevent up to 90 percent of drownings among children under age four.

What are the characteristics of effective isolation fences?

First, fencing around the property might keep neighbors’ kids away from the pool, but for the safety of children in the home, there must be a fence completely surrounding the swimming pool, isolating it from the house.

The fence should be at least four feet high and have no footholds or handholds a child could use for climbing. Vertical fence slats must be less than four inches apart so even a small child cannot squeeze through.

Gates must be self-closing and self-latching. Magnetically triggered latches have been shown to be the safest and most reliable because, unlike gravity latches, they do not mechanically resist closure. The latch should be high enough to be out of the reach of a child. Inspect swimming pool gates at least once a day to be sure they self-close and self-latch every time.

Never prop open the gate for any reason. Tell visitors and workers not to prop open the swimming pool gate. Many reports of toddler drownings cite a propped-open gate as a contributing factor.

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What You Need to Know About Safe Swimming at Lakes

A time-honored summer pastime for kids, adults and pets can be swimming in the natural waters of a lake. But these areas, while enticing and beautiful, have special safety concerns, especially for young children. The American Red Cross recommends that people swim only in lake areas that are specially designated for swimming and are watched by lifeguards. Without these protections, natural waters might be too dangerous for swimming.

Armed with some knowledge and caution, though, you and your family can have plenty of safe fun at your favorite lakes.

Watch the Kids

Children need to be constantly watched around water. Babies and toddlers can drown in only a few of water. Young children should have an adult swimmer within arm’s reach at all times.

Even children who know how to swim are at risk for drowning. Always keep them in sight.

Have young children and weak swimmers wear snug-fitting, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vests. Inflatable “water wings” do not offer adequate drowning protection.

Know the Risks

Check the weather report before you go. Stay home if bad weather is expected. If weather conditions change for the worse while you’re in the water—especially if there’s thunder and lightning—get out immediately.

Lake waters might hide sharp rocks, glass or trash. Wear aqua socks or water shoes.

Walk carefully into the water. Lakes might be shallow near the shore and then suddenly get deep.

Don’t dive into water. You can’t be sure how deep the water is, and large objects (like rocks and boulders) might be hidden underneath.

Avoid water that has floating mats of algae. This might be “blue-green algae,” which is toxic to humans and pets. Don’t swim in algae-covered water—and don’t let pets drink from it.

Practice Water Safety

Always swim with a “buddy” and only in designated areas marked by buoys and ropes and supervised by lifeguards.

Be aware of any recreational activities happening nearby, such as boating, canoeing, water skiing and windsurfing.

Keep watching yourself and the kids for these signs: fatigue, hunger, cold, too much sun.

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