Hello and welcome to CPSC’s podcast for Friday, May 23rd, 2008. I’m Ed Kang.

The big memorial day holiday is this weekend, and that means pools around the country will be opening for the unofficial start of summer. Pools are a lot of fun for all ages, and a great way to cool off, but they can also be dangerous – especially for young kids.

Joining me to talk about how to keep your kids safe at the pool this summer are Dr. Jonathan Midgett, Engineering Psychologist from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and Dr. Julie Gilchrist, Medical Epidemiologist, who is joining us by telephone today from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.

[Moderator]: Dr. Gilchrist, how big a problem is drowning?

[Dr. Gilchrist]: There are about 3500 deaths a year from drowning; that is about 10 people per day and this number doesn’t include the more than 700 people each year who die in boating related incidents. In addition to these deaths, more than 4000 people each year are seen in emergency departments for drowning and more than half need to be hospitalized or transferred for more care.

[Moderator]: Dr. Midgett, what’s CPSC’s perspective on this?

[Dr. Jonathan Midgett]: Drowning is the second-leading cause of injury death for children ages one to fourteen. 283 kids-under-five die each year in America’s pools and spas.

[Moderator]: Is it just kids that are at risk, Dr. Gilchrist?

[Dr. Gilchrist]: Anyone of any age or swimming ability can drown. While young children- from one to four- commonly drown in residential swimming pools, older children, teens and adults more often are found natural- or open- water settings, like in lakes, rivers, or oceans.

[Moderator]: What are some common scenarios where a child might drown?

[Dr. Jonathan Midgett]: We see unprotected pools, such as pools with a three-sided fence where the home forms the fourth side of the barrier system -- this allows child visitors or residents to gain access to the water. Another scenario involves pool protection systems that have aged or been neglected: frost heaving opens a gap in gate, wooden fences rot. Besides inadequate barrier systems, children can drown in a pool full of people, too, if no one is designated to supervise.

[Moderator]: How can these incidents be prevented? What can parent do to keep their kids safe?

[Dr. Jonathan Midgett]: Proper pool equipment is important: anti-entrapment drain covers must stay in place and filter systems have to be properly designed to prevent entrapments on suction outlets. And we need to admit that, as over-protective and vigilant as we are, little children are fiendishly clever and they can get away! For those brief moments when children elude us, we need layers of protection around our pools. The more obstacles between your child and the pool, the better! Fences need to isolate the pool from the house, have well-maintained self-closing, self-latching gates and back-up layers of protection, like sensors and alarms.

[Moderator]: Anything to add Dr. Gilchrist?

[Dr. Gilchrist]: While fences are critical in preventing unsupervised access to pools, there are times when children will be in the pool. This is when appropriate supervision is so important. There should be at least one adult identified to be responsible for watching kids around the water; this person should avoid distracting activities that can take their attention away. Things like playing cards, reading books, or talking on the phone can keep you from noticing a child quietly slipping under. Drownings happen quickly and usually silently. Additionally, we recommend that everyone be trained in CPR and basic first aid. CPR can make a big difference by reducing the likelihood of brain damage in the few minutes it takes for 911 emergency responders to arrive. We want everyone to be active this summer, but remember, that learning to swim is more than a recreational activity, it’s a life-saving skill

[Moderator]: Is there anything that can be done to make pools safer—Dr. Midgett?

[Dr. Jonathan Midgett]: Besides isolation fencing and multiple layers of protection around pools and spas, homeowners with pools should take to heart the new law for public pools. The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act mandates that drain covers sold in the U.S. must meet specific requirements designed to prevent suction entrapment and evisceration and in certain instances, your pool’s plumbing needs additional devices designed to prevent entrapment like the Suction Vacuum Release System (SVRS)

[Moderator]: That’s all great information. Thanks Dr. Jonathan Midgett from the CPSC; and thanks for joining us from Atlanta today Dr. Julie Gilchrist.

You can find out more about pool and spa safety as well as information about recalls announced by CPSC at our Web site www.cpsc.gov. While you’re there, sign up to receive CPSC’s recall announcements directly to your email inbox.

That’s it for this week’s CPSC podcast. Thanks for listening.

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