Home Safety Council research shows that drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional injury-related death across all age groups, yet a recent study commissioned by the national, nonprofit organization found that only six percent of respondents have taken any action to prevent drowning incidents at home. Of those polled, fewer than 10 percent have put in a four-sided fence that goes all around the pool or installed a gate that closes and locks by itself – two of the key water safety tips recommended by the Home Safety Council.

As the temperatures rise and families begin to spend their time in and around the pool, the Home Safety Council is working to make parents and caregivers aware of water-related dangers and encouraging them to take an active role in protecting their children from those risks.

“No one should swim alone. Close, active adult supervision is particularly vital when children are around water,” said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. “Drowning can occur in just seconds without noise or sign of struggle, so adults need to stay within arm’s reach and remain entirely focused on children when they are around any body of water.”

In addition to drowning, pools and spas also introduce the risk of injuries from falls, poisoning, scalds, entrapment and electric shock. The Home Safety Council’s new, online destination, MySafeHome.org (link to http://www.mysafehome.org/), lets users explore all the areas of a virtual home to understand where potential dangers may be found in their own homes. MySafeHome.org includes an interactive pool and spa area that illustrates the most common injury risks found around backyard pools and spas and demonstrates the safety devices and practices needed to reduce the risk of injury.

Water Safety Tips:

The Home Safety Council offers the following water safety tips for activity in and around pools, spas, ponds and irrigation ditches, bathtubs and buckets.

• Install four-sided fencing with self-locking and self-closing gates around pools and spas. Fencing should completely isolate the pool from the home and be at least five feet high.
• Always keep gates closed and latched. Never prop a gate open or disable the lock.
• Always practice constant adult supervision around any body of water, including pools and spas. Never leave your child alone or in the care of another child.
• When hosting a pool party, assign specific adults to keep an eye on the pool at all times.
• Enroll non-swimmers in swimming lessons taught by a qualified instructor.
• Remember that regardless of age or skill level, no one is “drown proof.” Children should always be supervised by an adult while they are swimming.
• Never swim alone. Even adults should swim with a buddy.
• Learn and practice basic lifesaving techniques, including First Aid and CPR. Insist that anyone who cares for your children learn CPR.
• Keep poolside rescue equipment close to the pool area at all times, and bring a cordless telephone outside while using the pool.
• Post emergency numbers and CPR instructions near the pool area.
• Entrapment underwater can be deadly. Teach children that drains, grates and filters are not toys. Never stick fingers or toes in these openings and stay away from suction devices.
• Install anti-entrapment drain covers and replace drain covers immediately if they are broken or damaged.
• Always remove toys from the pool area when not in use.
• Establish pool safety rules and make sure children are familiar with them.
• Keep spas and hot tubs covered and locked when not in use.
• Completely remove pool and spa covers prior to use.
• Stay out of the pool during severe weather and thunderstorms, especially if lightning is forecast or present.
• If a child is missing, check the pool area first.

To learn more about water safety, please visit: www.mysafehome.org.

While people of all ages and sizes are susceptible to the dangers of faulty pool drains, young children tend to be at the highest risk.  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than one in four drowning victims are children age 14 and younger.  For every child who has died from drowning, another four have received emergency care for nonfatal submersion injuries.

Take the following preventative measures before allowing swimmers to enter their pools:

• Replace old flat drain covers and never use a pool or spa with a missing or broken drain cover.
• For public pools, install anti-vortex drain covers.  A simple retrofit to install anti-entrapment covers will protect both children and adults from body and hair entrapment in the suction outlets.
• Have a professional regularly inspect the pool or spa for entrapment or entanglement hazards.  Ask them to clearly mark the location of the electrical cut-off switch for the pool or spa pump.
• Install a Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS) to automatically shut off a pump if a blockage is detected.
• If someone is trapped against a drain, immediately turn off the pump.  Pry a hand between the drain and the person’s body to break the seal instead of trying to pull the person away from the powerful suction.

The summer season is a carefree time of year, but that does not mean that people should take a carefree approach to proper pool maintenance.

SB 96 takes many VGB Act requirements for commercial vessels and places them on all pools and spas statewide.

And if passed as currently written, it would add other requirements as well. In addition to the drain requirements found in the federal law, the Texas legislation would require a safety vacuum release system, suction-limiting vent or other such device as a backup on all pools to prevent a vacuum from forming. If passed, the law will apply to pools and spas built on or after Sept. 1, 2009.

Existing single-drain pools renovated after that date must be modified to have a dual-drain, blockable drain or drainless system, as well as some of the shut-off devices.

Read the full article.

National Water Safety Month

In recognition of the popularity of swimming and other water-related recreational activities in the United States, and the resulting need for ongoing public education on safer water practices, including swim lessons, the buddy system, parental supervision, following the posted rules, and always being “water aware,” the Month of May, 2009 has been announced as National Water Safety Month.

This designation has been proclaimed as a joint effort of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, the National Recreation & Park Association, and the World Waterpark Association. These organizations represent businesses and other individuals and agencies involved in bringing safe, enjoyable aquatic activities to the American public, from home pools and spas, to waterparks and resorts, to public swimming and water recreation facilities.

National Water Safety Month will be celebrated through educational programs, public service announcements, governmental proclamations, dealer and business promotions, and the distribution of water-safety-themed materials, aimed primarily at the public, and designed to prevent drowning and water-related illness and injuries.

Bill Weber, President and CEO of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, commented, “The safe use of pools, spas and other recreational water facilities is a priority for everyone, from companies that build and service pools, to facility management, to parents and individuals who enjoy the benefits of aquatic activities. The combined efforts of the three sponsoring organizations, along with assistance from other agencies will serve to focus attention on the importance of water safety to all stakeholders, with residual value that will extend well beyond National Water Safety Month.”

Following a few guidelines can help assure that you’ll have a positive, safe, enjoyable experience.

Start With These Pool Safety Basics:

• Responsible Adult Supervision is Key: This means no distractions and constant visual contact whenever children are present.
• No Broken or Missing Drain Covers: Never use a pool if the drain cover is broken or missing.
• Provide Layers of Protection: This means the pool, spa, or hot tub is equipped with several devices to delay unsupervised access or to warn of a small child’s presence. This includes fencing, safety covers, pool and door alarms, ropes and floats and an outside telephone for emergencies.

Detailed information about National Water Safety Month, for both consumers and businesses, can be found at the sites of the sponsoring organizations: www.apsp.org, www.waterparks.org, and www.nrpa.org.