Before a family is allowed to build a pool or move into an apartment or home with a pool, they should be required to take a course on swimming pool safety and then pass a test, similar to getting a driver's license.
The reasoning behind that thinking is that childhood drowning is mostly preventable.
Lack of adult supervision is the number one reason why children drown in their own pool or apartment pool.
About 350 children under 5-year-old drown in swimming pools each year.
Drowning is the second leading cause of death for this age group after motor vehicle incidents.
Another 2,600 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for near-drowning incidents.
The vast majority of pool safety accidents happen in backyard pools.
People tend to think of their pool as a place to host summer family gatherings and even as activity to keep the kids occupied, perhaps like a built-in babysitter.
Pool safety receives less top-of-mind priority consideration than planning Johnny's birthday party.
Drowning not only occurs when the family is outside or using the pool but a more frequent scenario happens when young children leave the house without a parent or caregiver knowing.
Water is like a magnet to children who unfortunately may not have been taught about the terrible dangers that swimming pools may pose.
Frequent drowning also occurs when an adult or caregiver runs in the house to answer the phone or doorbell.
It only takes a few seconds for these silent but deadly accidents to happen.
Here are some pool safety tips to prevent tragedies: (Yes, it can happen to you and your family or your friends' children.
) Fences and walls should be at least 4 feet high and installed completely around the pool.
Fence gates should be self-closing and self-latching.
The latch should be above and beyond a small child's reach.
If your house forms one side of the barrier to the pool, then doors leading from the house to the pool should be protected with alarms that produce a sound when a door is unexpectedly opened.
Use a power safety cover, a motor-powered barrier that can be placed over the water area when the pool is not in use.
Keep rescue equipment by the pool and be sure a phone is poolside with emergency numbers posted.
Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
It can save a life before emergency personnel arrive.
For above-ground pools, steps and ladders to the pool should be secured and locked, or removed when the pool is not in use.
However, there still should be a fence barrier.
If a child is missing, always look in the pool first.
Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
All members of your family and caregiver should know how to swim.
Children under 5 should wear life jackets when in the pool or playing around the pool.
Pool alarms can be used as an added precaution.
Underwater pool alarms generally perform better and can be used in conjunction with pool covers.
Be sure to include remote alarm receivers so the alarm can be heard inside the house or in other places away from the pool area.
You as the pool owner are responsible for what happens in your pool.
You have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for children and adults alike and to be pro-active in preventing accidents.
If you find yourself in hot water over pool safety, contact a Pennsylvania lawyer to find out what your legal options are.
The reasoning behind that thinking is that childhood drowning is mostly preventable.
Lack of adult supervision is the number one reason why children drown in their own pool or apartment pool.
About 350 children under 5-year-old drown in swimming pools each year.
Drowning is the second leading cause of death for this age group after motor vehicle incidents.
Another 2,600 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for near-drowning incidents.
The vast majority of pool safety accidents happen in backyard pools.
People tend to think of their pool as a place to host summer family gatherings and even as activity to keep the kids occupied, perhaps like a built-in babysitter.
Pool safety receives less top-of-mind priority consideration than planning Johnny's birthday party.
Drowning not only occurs when the family is outside or using the pool but a more frequent scenario happens when young children leave the house without a parent or caregiver knowing.
Water is like a magnet to children who unfortunately may not have been taught about the terrible dangers that swimming pools may pose.
Frequent drowning also occurs when an adult or caregiver runs in the house to answer the phone or doorbell.
It only takes a few seconds for these silent but deadly accidents to happen.
Here are some pool safety tips to prevent tragedies: (Yes, it can happen to you and your family or your friends' children.
) Fences and walls should be at least 4 feet high and installed completely around the pool.
Fence gates should be self-closing and self-latching.
The latch should be above and beyond a small child's reach.
If your house forms one side of the barrier to the pool, then doors leading from the house to the pool should be protected with alarms that produce a sound when a door is unexpectedly opened.
Use a power safety cover, a motor-powered barrier that can be placed over the water area when the pool is not in use.
Keep rescue equipment by the pool and be sure a phone is poolside with emergency numbers posted.
Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
It can save a life before emergency personnel arrive.
For above-ground pools, steps and ladders to the pool should be secured and locked, or removed when the pool is not in use.
However, there still should be a fence barrier.
If a child is missing, always look in the pool first.
Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
All members of your family and caregiver should know how to swim.
Children under 5 should wear life jackets when in the pool or playing around the pool.
Pool alarms can be used as an added precaution.
Underwater pool alarms generally perform better and can be used in conjunction with pool covers.
Be sure to include remote alarm receivers so the alarm can be heard inside the house or in other places away from the pool area.
You as the pool owner are responsible for what happens in your pool.
You have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for children and adults alike and to be pro-active in preventing accidents.
If you find yourself in hot water over pool safety, contact a Pennsylvania lawyer to find out what your legal options are.
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