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This material is sponsored by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and is for your free and unrestricted use. More information: Mark Ross, CPSC, 301-504-7076

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Though an average of about 280 children under 5 years old drown in swimming pools nationwide each year, CPSC also has reports of about 150 children under 5 who have drowned in other products in and around the home each year. In 2002 (the most recent year of complete data), CPSC reported drowning deaths of children under 5 involving the following products:

Bathtubs – 69
Hot Tubs/Spas – 9
Buckets – 6
Wading pools – 4
Landscape ponds – 2
Other products – 4

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SOUNDBITES: Nancy Nord, Acting Chairman, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

(Spanish version of soundbites are at the end of the tape.)

SOUNDBITES ENGLISH:

The end of pool season doesn’t mean the end of drowning dangers to young children. Parents should never let their guard down when it comes to dangers posed by bathtubs and 5-gallon buckets.

Most in-home drowning deaths occur in bathtubs, and the great majority of these victims are younger than 2 years old. Never leave a baby alone in a tub – not even for a second. Don’t leave to answer the doorbell, the phone, or to go get a towel . . . If you have to leave, take the baby with you.

Some parents may not be aware that buckets can be deadly to toddlers. Toddlers can lean over to play in buckets, fall inside, and become trapped. Even a small amount of liquid inside can be fatal.

BATHTUBS (sequence showing a mother not leaving baby alone in bathtub despite distractions such as phone ringing)

The majority of bathtub deaths occur when the caregiver is not present. Always keep baby in arm’s reach. Don’t leave a baby in the care of another young child. Never leave to answer the phone, answer the door, get a towel or for any other reason. If you must leave, take the baby with you. Always make sure the tub drains completely. Be sure that a washcloth or toy does not block the drain so that water remains in the tub, posing a drowning hazard.

BATH SEATS (Baby Doll Simulation)

A baby bath seat is not a substitute for supervision. A bath seat is a bathing aid, not a safety device. Even when a child is in a bath seat, you should always be in arm’s reach.

BUCKETS (sequence showing a mother taking child away from bucket with water, and pouring water out)

Never leave a bucket containing even a small amount of liquid unattended. When finished using the bucket, always empty it immediately. Store buckets where young children can not access them.

BUCKET DROWNING (Baby Doll Simulation)

TOILETS (sequence showing child playing in toilet and mother removing him and locking the door)

The typical drowning scenario with a toilet involves a child under 3-years-old falling headfirst into a toilet. Keep the toilet lid down to prevent access to the water. Consider using a toilet lock to stop young children from opening the lids. Consider placing a latch on the bathroom door out of reach of young children.

LANDSCAPE PONDS (sequence showing child playing near pond and mother removing him from area)

Young children are drawn to man-made landscape ponds, which seem to be more and more popular in home gardens. They often have no barriers to prevent access by young children.

SPAS AND HOT TUBS (sequence showing child playing near hot tub and father removing him and locking tub)

Always secure the safety cover on your spa or hot tub when it isn’t in use. Some non-rigid covers, such as solar covers, can allow a small child to slip into the water and the cover would appear to still be in place. Use barriers, such as locking the door leading to the spa and hot tub, to prevent young children from gaining access.

SPAS AND HOT TUBS (Baby Doll Simulation)

END SLATE: CPSC offers free publications and information for consumers to help prevent drowning: For more information, go to www.cpsc.gov or call our Hotline at (800) 638-2772

SLATE: Spanish Soundbites: Arlene Flecha

Comision para la Seguridad de los Productos de Consumo de los Estados Unidos

EL FIN DE LA TEMPORADA DE PISCINAS NO ES EL FIN DE LOS PELIGROS DE AHOGAMIENTO PARA NIñOS PEQUENOS. LOS PADRES SIEMPRE DEBEN ESTAR ALERTA SOBRE LOS PELIGROS QUE PRESENTAN LAS BAñERAS Y LOS CUBOS DE 5 GALONES.

LA MAYORIA DE LOS AHOGAMIENTOS EN EL HOGAR OCURREN EN LAS BANERAS, Y LA MAYORIA DE LAS VICTIMAS SON NIñOS MENORES DE 2 ANOS. NUNCA DEJE A UN BEBE SOLO EN LA BAñERA-NI SIQUIERA POR UN SEGUNDO! NO LO DEJE PARA IR A ABRIR LA PUERTA, CONTESTAR EL TELEFONO O BUSCAR LA TOALLA…SI SE TIENE QUE IR, LLEVESE AL BEBE CON USTED.

PUEDE QUE ALGUNOS PADRES NO SEPAN QUE LOS CUBOS PUEDEN SER FATALES PARA LOS NINOS PEQUENOS. LOS NINITOS SE PUEDEN INCLINAR SOBRE EL CUBO PARA JUGAR, CAERSE DENTRO DE ESTE Y QUEDAR ATRAPADOS. AUNQUE SOLO HAYA UN POQUITO DE AGUA EN EL CUBO, ESTA PUEDE SER FATAL.

End.