It takes only seconds and minutes and contrary to what some believe, it happens without a loud splash. A toddler falls into the pool or spa, struggles and dies. The silent and swift tragedy is preventable, Swimming Pool Safety advocates say. For the past six years, eight or nine toddlers died in swimming pools and spas every year in Orange County, says the Orange County Safe Kids coordinator for Children’s Hospital. South Hills Pool and Spa is committed to Swimming Pool Safety in Orange County. Here is a Guide to preventing drowning:
Preparing the back yard
Door Alarm should sound off when opened or a child passes through. 1. Alarm should sound for at least 30 seconds. 2. Drawback is that pets such as dogs and cats can set off the alarm. 3. Adults can temporarily deactivate alarm using keypad per manual switch at least 54 inches above door’s threshold. 4. Technology is available to automatically close sliding glass doors.
Install Window Alarms especially in one-story homes. 1. Install window stops if window can be pushed open by toddler. 2. Do not leave window open wider than 4 inches.
Pet door needs to be locked. A small child can easily fit through.
Supervising Kids
Require one adult per child, especially when several children are present.
Assign an adult to watch the pool for accidents.
Sign up adults at parties to take turns being pool watchers so the task does not become tedious.
Never take supervision for granted even if your toddler has had swimming lessons.
Swimming Pool Safety in Orange County: Call for free water watcher tags and safety information from Children’s Hospital of Orange County at (714) 509-8887 or at https://www.choc.org/community.
Precautions at the Pool
Never allow kids who cannot swim or swim well to use flotation devices or life jackets in pools without supervision.
Life Jackets are not a substitute for supervision.
Floatation devices can deflate or kids can forget to put them back on when returning to the pool after a break.
Use a shepherd’s hook to reach child.
Keep a life buoy nearby to be thrown within a child’s reach.
Post easy to see emergency numbers by the pool.
Remove furniture, ladders and other objects that kids can use to stand on from the fence. are not a substitute for supervision.
Never use the pool with the safety cover partly in place. Remove the cover completely when you are ready to use the pool.
Never prop open the pool barrier’s gate or temporarily jam the self-locking/self latching mechanism, because children may slip in unnoticed.
Fencing the Pool
A successful pool barrier prevents a child from gaining unsupervised access to the pool. The California Health and Safety code requires fences around new pools to have a minimum height of 5 feet. Fence dimensions established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission:
Height Minimum of 60 inches from the ground.
Vertical Bars Spacing not to exceed 4 inches.
Bottom Clearance not to exceed 4 inches on a hard surface, 2 inches on a soft surface.
Gate lock Release mechanism at least 54 inches from the bottom of gate OR at least 3 inches from top of gate.
Gate: Self-closing and self-latching and should open away from the pool so kids can’t push gate open.
Sun Protection
Avoid being outdoors during the midday hours. Wear a wide-spectrum sunscreen – one that protects against UVA and UVB, and with an SPF of 30 or greater. Apply, liberally and thoroughly. Reapply sunscreen if you’ve been in the water or have been sweating.
Wear Sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV Rays.
Wear a Wide Brimmed Hat if you’re spending a lit of time outdoors and seek shade under a patio structure or umbrella.