“Parents whose children have drowned say the day of the tragedy started out just like any other day. No matter how the drowning happened or where it happened – pool, spa, or any other body of water – one thing was the same, the seconds that claimed their child’s life slid by silently, without warning, and can never be brought back says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. For every child less than 15 years old who dies from drowning in a pool, another 10 receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.”
Use layers of barrier protection between the child and water to warn and impede. These include: Alarms on doors and windows leading to the water, installed about five feet above ground level so that a child cannot reach them. A non-climbable, five-foot fence that separates the pool/spa from the residence should be installed. Openings should be no more than four inches wide so children cannot squeeze through the spaces. Gates should open outward. Gates should be self-closing and self-latching, opening outward away from the pool.
Pool safety covers (power operated are the safest and easiest to use). Assign an adult “water watcher” to supervise the pool/spa area or any other body of water, especially during social gatherings. Never leave a child alone near a pool/spa, bathtub, toilet, water filled bucket, pond or any standing body of water in which a child’s nose and mouth may be submersed. Don’t allow children to play in the pool/spa area.. Never allow young children to be left alone in and around the pool for a moment. Never keep toys around or in a pool. All adults, children and Baby-sitters should learn and practice CPR. Keep a telephone outside the pool area. Post the 9-1-1 emergency number on the telephone.
More safety information: It’s important to make safety a priority to protect children and others in and around the water reminds Chief DiGiovanna. You should contact your local Fire Department or Red Cross to obtain more safety information. You can also visit: www.poolsafety.com or https://dds.ca.gov/Drowning/Index.cfm
Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
