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NEW HOME SAFETY COUNCIL® SURVEY FINDS MANY FAMILIES ARE NOT FOLLOWING SAFE SWIMMING PRACTICES

Council Offers Water Safety Advice and Provides Home Safety Tips to Keep Families Safe from Drowning Incidents

Research from the national nonprofit Home Safety Council shows that drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional home injury-related death for children ages 1-14, yet a recent study commissioned by the Council found that less than half of the U.S. adults surveyed supervise children when they are in or near water.

Drowning is a silent and sudden event, so home safety experts agree that it is crucial for parents and caregivers to recognize water dangers, and take an active role in supervising children when they are in or around the water.

As the temperatures rise, the Home Safety Council is focusing its attention on this important problem. HSC urges families to make safety a priority when retreating to the water this summer.

“Active adult supervision is vital when children are around any body of water. This point is especially key during the summer months when families spend time swimming and enjoying water activities,” said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. “Many people don’t realize that drowning can occur in just seconds. Parents may not hear any sign of struggle, so they need to stay within arm’s reach of children and remain entirely focused on the children at all times.”

Backyard Water Safety

The Home Safety Council offers the following water safety tips to keep families safe around pools, ponds and irrigation ditches, spas, bathtubs and buckets.

• Install four-sided fencing with self-locking and self-closing gates. 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, water resistant telephone outside while using the pool.
• Post emergency numbers and CPR instructions near the pool area.
• Teach children that drains, grates and filters are not toys. Never stick fingers or toes in these openings and stay away from suction devices.
• Always remove toys from the pool area when not in use.
• Post pool safety rules in a highly visible location. Make sure children are familiar with the rules.
• Keep spas and hot tubs covered and locked when not in use.
• Completely remove pool and spa covers prior to swimming.
• 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 how to enjoy swimming safely, please visit www.homesafetycouncil.org.

About Home Safety Council

The Home Safety Council (HSC) is the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to preventing home related injuries that result in nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits on average each year. Through national programs, partnerships and the support of volunteers, HSC educates people of all ages to be safer in and around their homes. The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization located in Washington, DC.