Drowning Is Preventable
Canyon Hills 92532
Keeping
Your Families Safe
Drowning Is 100% Preventable
In recent weeks CAL FIRE/Riverside County Firefighters responded to three drowning incidents involving children less than five years of age. Since January 1, 2011, 15 children under the age of five either drowned or nearly drowned in Riverside County. Here are some tips on how you can keep your children and loved ones safe around swimming pools.
Supervision
Never leave a child alone in or near the pool, a stream, or a lake for a moment.
When watching children in or near a pool, a stream,or a lake, refrain from phone use and reading. Pay attention.
Don't let the number of children reach beyond your control. Ensure that there are enough adults to supervise the number of children swimming.
Make sure that pool rescue equipment is in working order and free from damage (shepherd's hook and/or life preservers).
Make sure that a phone is nearby in case of an emergency.
Hazard Assessment
Identify hazards that could lead to drowning such as: pools, spas, water on pool covers, wading pools, bath tubs, buckets of water, and outdoor ponds.
Floating aids, such as "floaties" are NOT a substitute for approved life vests and can give children and parents a false sense of security.
Remove ALL toys from the pool and pool area after each use to avoid a child's temptation to reach them.
Security
Install a fence at least five feet high around the sides of the pool that separates the house from the play area. Use gates that self-close and self-latch. Ensure that the latch is higher than a child can reach.
Any door that leads to the pool should be kept locked and equipped with an alarm system that will sound when perimeter doors are opened.
Floating or infra-red pool alarms with a remote alarm sounding in the home can alert you to a child falling in the water.
Training
Establish rules covering its use and more importantly, when NOT to be used.
Consider survival training for a child when they are capable of crawling or walking into a pool.
CPR and knowledge of rescue training techniques are the final layer of protection in the event of an accident and should be the standard for anyone watching or supervising children by the pool.
For additional information on the ABC's of Pool Safety, go to www.rvcfire.org