SLATES:
This material is sponsored by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and is for your free and unrestricted use.
More information: CPSC, (301) 504-7800
See CPSC’s complete drowning prevention press release at www.cpsc.gov.
CPSC reports there are about 260 drowning deaths of children younger than 5 each year in swimming pools, and, on average, an estimated 2,725 children are treated annually in hospital emergency rooms for pool submersion injuries – mostly in residential pools.
CPSC strongly advises that parents use layers of protection to prevent their children from becoming a drowning victim.
CPSC Public Service Announcement:
“Drownings Happen Quickly and Silently”
(A Spanish version of this PSA is at the end of the video.)
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:
Spokesperson VO: If your toddler falls in the pool, you think you’ll hear this:
Child splashing and screaming loudly
Spokesperson VO: But, what you’ll really hear is this:
Small splashing sound
Spokesperson VO: It happens quickly and silently. About 260 children younger than 5 drown in pools each year. That’s about one kindergarten class each month. Put a fence around your pool. Place an alarm on doors leading to the pool area. If a child is missing, look in the pool first. Remember, every second counts.
SLATE: To reduce the risk of drowning, 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.
B-ROLL
1. Show Fences around pool – various shots/fences around pools
2. Child outside fence with pool in view
3. Self-Latching gate -- Adult walks out gate and it latches
4. Child trying to open gate
SLATE: 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.
B-ROLL
1. Child opens door and alarm goes off.
2. Power cover closing over pool.
SLATE: For above-ground and inflatable pools with ladders, remove or secure the ladder when the pool is not in use.
B-ROLL
1. Above Ground Pool – Securing ladder
SLATE: Don’t leave toys and floats in the pool that can attract young children and cause them to fall in the water when they reach for the items.
B-ROLL
1. Young child reaching for toy in pool
2. Adult taking toys out of pool
SLATE: Inflatable pools often have slanted or flexible sides, which make it easier for children to climb into the pool even without a ladder present. These pools are often purchased by consumers without considering barriers, such as fencing, necessary to protect young children.
B-ROLL
1. Inflatable Pools – climbing over side, reaching over cover
2. Children playing in pool.
3. Kids playing in pool and adult supervising
SLATE: CPSC also is reminding consumers to be aware of the hidden danger of drain entrapments. The suction from a pool drain can be so powerful that it can hold an adult under water, but most entrapment incidents involve children. CPSC recommends having a professional inspect pools and spas for entrapment hazards, and making sure appropriate drain covers are in place.
B-ROLL
1. Pool drain shots
SOUNDBITES: English and Spanish
Nancy Nord, Acting Chairman
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
"When a toddler drowns, it often happens quickly and quietly. Many times, children slip under the water with hardly a sound."
"Parents may think that if their child falls in the pool, they will hear lots of splashing and screaming. They think they’ll be able to come to the rescue. But young children can slip underwater silently. Often, even people nearby report hearing nothing out of the ordinary."
"No one layer of protection is foolproof to prevent drowning in pools. Use as many layers of protection as possible. Multiple barriers and constant supervision are essential to protecting children."
Arlene Flecha
Comisión para la Seguridad de los Productos de Consumo de los Estados Unidos
"Cuando un niño pequeño se ahoga, usualmente ocurre rápida y silenciosamente. Muchas veces, los niños se caen en el agua sin hacer casi ningún sonido."
"Los padres pueden pensar que si su niño se cae en la piscina van a escuchar muchos chapoteos y gritos. Piensan que podrán salir a rescatarlo. Pero los niños pueden caer en el agua silenciosamente. A menudo, aún las personas que están cerca reportan que no escucharon nada fuera de lo ordinario."
"Ninguna capa de protección es 100% eficaz para prevenir ahogamientos en piscinas. Use tantas capas de protección como sea posible. El uso de múltiples barreras y la supervisión constante son esenciales para proteger a los niños."
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT (SPANISH):
Spokesperson VO: Si su niño se cae en una piscina usted cree que va a escuchar esto:
Chapoteo y niño gritando
Spokesperson VO: Pero lo que en realidad va a escuchar es esto.
Chapoteo silencioso
Spokesperson VO: Ocurre rápida y silenciosamente Coloque una cerca alrededor de su piscina. Coloque una alarma en las puertas que dan a la piscina. Si un niño se desaparece busque primero en la piscina. Para más consejos de seguridad en las piscinas visite cpsc.gov.
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
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7800
End