June 4, 2008

Pool Safety Tips

With the first report of a child drowning on Long Island, the Nassau County Department of Health recommends the following for home swimming pools to try to prevent such tragedies:

Do

• 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 and prevent pool injuries.
• Make sure a telephone is located near the pool.
• Learn CPR!

Do Not 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!
• Not even with a floatation device as a substitute for supervision

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.

Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of hospitalization and death of our children.