| Drowning Prevention |
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| Key Points |
Layers of Protection
In addition to close supervision, CPSC recommends layers of protection, including barriers, such as a fence with self-closing, self-latching gates, completely surrounding pools to prevent unsupervised access by young children. If the house forms a side of the barrier, use alarms on doors leading to the pool area or a power safety cover over the pool. It is important to always be prepared for an emergency by having rescue equipment and a phone near the pool. Also, parents should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Look in the Pool First
There are about 260 drowning deaths of children younger than 5 each year in swimming pools. About 77 percent of the victims had been missing for 5 minutes or less when they were found. Precious time is often wasted looking for missing children anywhere but in the pool. Since every second counts, always look for a missing child in the pool or spa first.
Drowning is Silent
Parents may think that if their child falls in the water, they will hear lots of splashing and screaming, and that they will be able to come to the rescue. Many times, however, children slip under the water silently. Even people near or in the pool have reported hearing nothing out of the ordinary during drowning incidents.
| Resources |
Swimming Pool Safety Alert (pdf)This one-page Safety Alert provides tips and information on preventing drowning of young children and highlights entrapment dangers of pool drains.
Safety Barrier Guidelines for Pools (pdf)Provides guidelines for barriers intended to prevent drowning deaths and near-drowning deaths of children in home pools, spas and hot tubs. Guidelines cover fences, gates, audible alarms for doors with access to pools, and power safety covers.
How to Plan for the Unexpected (pdf)This booklet discusses how to reduce risks of child drowning deaths in residential swimming pools. Gives safety tips and provides guidance for fences and gates, pool covers, barriers, alarms, etc.
Guidelines for Entrapment Hazards: Making Pools and Spas Safer (pdf)This booklet gives technical information on reducing drain entrapment dangers.
Prevent Child In-Home Drowning DeathsCPSC warns consumers about hidden drowning hazards for small children in and around the home, including bathtubs, buckets and toilets.