We should not accept the statistic that every year in Nassau County at least three young children are hospitalized and one child may die as a result of drowning. To help change these facts, the Nassau County Department of Health offers the following pool safety tips:

Most young children who drown in backyard pools walk out of their houses and fall into their pools. A fence that completely surrounds the pool and separates it from the house could prevent a child from drowning. The fence should have gates that self-close and a self-latch installed higher than a child's reach.

• Remove toys from the pool areas after use. These toys may tempt children to climb or lean into the pool area.
• Keep all doors and windows leading to the pool area locked to prevent children from getting to the pool.
• During social gatherings, appoint a "designated watcher" to protect children from pool accidents.
• Make sure a telephone is located near the pool.
• Learn CPR!

• leave children unattended, not even for a few seconds
  not to answer the telephone
  not to answer the door
  not to get something
  not for anything!

Do not rely on floatation devices as a substitute for supervision. These devices give a false sense of security to both parent and child.

Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of hospitalization and death of our children. For more information on water safety or other injury prevention programs for children, call the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 571-3737.