Be Aware, Be Safe

It is estimated that each year over three hundred children under the age of five drown in pools and spas in the United States alone. While that in itself is a staggering statistic, what is worse is that most, if not all of the cases of drowning could have been avoided, if only the right safety precautions were taken.

Poolside safety is something that all adults need to take very seriously for the sake of children. It is important to note that there is no one single rule that can ensure the safety of one’s child. In fact, there are a set of rules and must-do’s that need to be followed in their entirety to eliminate risk.

The most important point on the list is supervision. One adult must be nominated as the water watcher and must stay as close to the pool as possible. When there is too much horsing around, the water watcher must intervene. It is important that the water watcher not spend time on electronic devices while on ‘duty’, to avoid distractions and stay focused on the children. But despite the assurance of constant vigil, each parent must keep an eye on one’s own child to avoid the unexpected.

Here’s more information on how to pool safely: http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/water-safety/home-pool-safety