Help Prevent Drownings This Summer

June 6, 2003

State health officials warned parents that swimming pools and hot tubs pose a potential drowning hazard to young children and should be fenced off and locked to prevent drownings this summer.

Barb Bailey, an injury prevention specialist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said, "Any body of water, including bathtub water, can be dangerous if a child is left alone. Children must be supervised at all times while in or near any body of water."

Bailey said that drowning ranks as the leading cause of death to young children in several states.

"More than 375 children under 5 years of age drown in swimming pools each year in the United States, most in residential swimming pools," she said.

To avoid summertime drownings, Bailey urged swimming pool and hot tub owners to take the following steps:

•Never leave a child unsupervised in or around water in the home. Empty all containers immediately after use and store out of reach.

•Never leave a child unsupervised in or around a swimming pool or hot tub, even for a moment.

•Learn CPR and keep rescue equipment, a telephone and emergency numbers at poolside.

•Install four-sided isolation fencing, at least five feet high, and equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates. Fencing should completely surround swimming pools or hot tubs and prevent direct access from a house or yard.

•For above-ground swimming pools, steps and ladders used should be secured and locked, or removed when the swimming pool is not in use.

•If a child is missing, always look in the swimming pool first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.

For more information, call (303) 692-2589.