Pool Deaths - Adults Must Watch Children In Pools To Curb Drownings

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Unless pool owners, parents, or other adults watch young children in and around swimming pools at all times, government experts believe that over 300 children under five years of age could drown in pools this year.

Warning that drowning in residential pools is the second leading cause of accidental death around the home to children under five years of age, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said the majority of the 630 pool drowning reported last year were to toddlers and children under five years of age. Another 4200 children under age five are treated each year in hospital emergency rooms for submersion and near-drowning accidents in backyard pools.

Typically, the drowning victim is a boy who is one or two years old. One of every three children who drown was last seen in or around the pool prior to the accident. They all were in the pool prior to drownings.

CPSC said that drowning happens quickly and without warning; there is no cry for help. An adult needs to be at poolside at all times to give undivided attention to children in and out of water.

If an adult must leave the pool area and another adult cannot supervise, escort the children into the house until the adult returns to the pool area. A cordless telephone at poolside will eliminate some of these interruptions; if the emergency number is posted on the phone, precious seconds will be saved in summoning rescue aid in the event of an accident.

The agency urged pool owners to adopt the following safety practices: Constantly keep your eyes on young children while at the pool; Never leave young children alone in or around the pool; if you leave, even for a few seconds, take the children with you. Avoid confusion by always assigning one adult to watch young children who are in and around the pool. Know how to administer CPR to a drowning victim before rescue help arrives. Contact your American Red Cross chapter or the fire department for information on CPR training courses.

CPSC has prepared a checklist to promote the safe use of residential swimming pools. Pool owners-may obtain a copy of the checklist by sending a postcard to Drownings, Washington, D.C. 20207.