You already know that owning your own swimming pool provides a great deal of enjoyment, especially for children. Did you also know that drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 1-14?

Many individuals with children who build residential swimming pools have no idea how serious the problem of children drowning in swimming pools is. The following statistics provide shocking evidence of what is often referred to as the silent killer:

• The Center for Disease Control reports that 782 children up to age 14 died from swimming pool drowning in 2003

• Drowning is consistently the leading cause of accident related death for children under 5 years

• Each year over 300 children under age 5 drown in residential swimming pools

• Of all age groups, children ages 1-4 have the highest drowning death rate

• 5%-20% of children who survive near drowning suffer severe and permanent disability

That drowning is often called the silent killer is highly accurate. An astounding 70% of children who drown in home swimming pools have their parents nearby, unaware of trouble. Many times there are no splashing sounds or cries for help. It can happen dangerously fast; a child can drown in the time it takes to answer a phone.

It isn’t just children who are prone to drowning. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention & Control, in 2003, there were 3,306 unintentional fatal drownings in the United States. This figure does not include boating related drownings. If a child has been drowning, taking speedy action is the key to successful recovery. Rescuing the child quickly and restarting breathing immediately are vital to survival. The difference between normal recovery and permanent brain damage can be a matter of seconds.

To help keep your children and guests safe in your indoor pool or spa, there are certain fundamentals you should follow to ensure a fun and safe time for all.

Basic Swimming Pool Safety Precautions:

• Learn CPR. This is invaluable if you own a swimming pool

• Absolutely NEVER leave young children unsupervised near a pool or spa

• During social gatherings, appoint and rotate “Designated Watchers”

• Keep a life saving flotation device near the pool at all times. (Do Not use the device as a substitute for supervision)

• Install a fence or barrier that is at least 4 feet tall completely around the pool (It is estimated that widespread use of pool fencing could prevent 50% to 90% of pediatric pool near drownings and drownings)

• Fence gates should be self-closing and self-latching. The latch should be above the reach of small children

• Vertical fence slats should be less than 4 inches apart to keep small children from squeezing through

• Use a pool safety cover

• For indoor pools, door alarms that are unreachable by small children

• Do Not expose young children to spas or hot tubs as they are susceptible to overheating

• Keep all glass containers away from the pool area

• Emphasize the need for constant pool supervision to babysitters

By employing these methods, you will greatly reduce the risk of accidents in your swimming pool or spa. An effective pool fence or barrier prevents children from getting under, over or through. Even though it’s not possible to drown-proof your children, swimming lessons help instill a sense of respect for the water by understanding the potential danger of water.

Remember, there is no substitute good supervision. By following proven pool safety precautions, you and your family can get full enjoyment from your pool safely. These helpful hints are brought to you by the concerned staff at Swimming Pool Dehumidifiers LLC.