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DROWNING FIFTH LEADING CAUSE OF UNINTENTIONAL INJURY RELATED
DEATH IN AMERICAN HOMES
The Home Safety Council Advises Families to Take Critical Safety Precautions
Around Water
WASHINGTON, DC – Home Safety Council research shows that drowning is the
fifth leading cause of unintentional injury related death in the home. While many
American families work to reduce home hazards, water safety is an area that is
often overlooked.
“Drowning is a sudden and silent danger,” says Meri-K Appy, president of the
Home Safety Council. “Anything from buckets and bathtubs to outdoor pools and
ponds can be the site of a tragic drowning if children are left unsupervised for
any amount of time.”
The summer season marks the start of outdoor water-related activities and
family gatherings around the pool. The Home Safety Council urges families to
take the following basic safety precautions as they kick off the season, while
keeping indoor water hazards in mind as well.
Swimming Safety and Pool Security
Practice constant adult supervision at all times when children are around any
body of water. Adults must be within an arm’s reach of young children when they
are near water.
Older children should not be left in charge of younger children in the pool area.
Assign specific adults to keep an eye on the pool at all times. When you have
pool parties, formally assign adults to pool supervision shifts to ensure the
children are watched closely throughout the party.
Install four-sided fencing that isolates the pool from the home. Four-sided pool
fencing is proven to be an effective drowning prevention intervention. Pool
fencing should be at least five feet high and have self-locking and self-closing
gates.
Position gate latches out of the reach of young children and never prop the gate
open or disable the latch.
Clear debris, clutter and pool toys from the pool deck and adjoining pathways to
prevent slips and falls.
Keep a cordless, water-resistant telephone in the pool area and post emergency
numbers near the pool area.
Enroll non-swimmers in swimming lessons taught by a qualified instructor.
Never swim alone. Even adults should always swim with a buddy.
Learn and practice lifesaving techniques, including First Aid and CPR. Require
that anyone who cares for your children learn CPR.
Keep poolside rescue equipment close to the pool area.
Water Safety at Home
Young children are especially vulnerable to drowning risk areas inside the home
including toilets, bathtubs and any large bucket. The Home Safety Council
recommends these safety precautions to keep your children safe from potential
water hazards.
Stay within touch supervision around water, always keeping children within an
arm’s reach. Hazards include buckets, bathtubs, toilets, spas and all standing
water.
Practice constant supervision during bath time. Never allow older siblings to
supervise children in or around standing water.
Be aware that baby bath seats are not safety devices and should never
substitute for adult supervision.
Drain the bathtub immediately after using it.
Keep bathroom doors closed and use door knob covers to prevent young
children from accessing bathrooms unsupervised.
Use toilet seat locks and keep toilet lids shut.
Be sure all buckets are emptied immediately after use, turned over with the
opening face down and stored out of children’s reach.
For additional information and resources to help you learn more and stay safe in
and around your home, please visit www.homesafetycouncil.org
About Home Safety Council
The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to
helping prevent more than 20 million medical visits each year from unintentional
injuries in the home. Through national programs and partners across America,
the Home Safety Council works to educate and empower families to take actions
that help keep them safer in and around their homes. To learn more about the
Council’s programs, partnerships and resources visit the Home Safety Council at
www.homesafetycouncil.org
DEATH IN AMERICAN HOMES
The Home Safety Council Advises Families to Take Critical Safety Precautions
Around Water
WASHINGTON, DC – Home Safety Council research shows that drowning is the
fifth leading cause of unintentional injury related death in the home. While many
American families work to reduce home hazards, water safety is an area that is
often overlooked.
“Drowning is a sudden and silent danger,” says Meri-K Appy, president of the
Home Safety Council. “Anything from buckets and bathtubs to outdoor pools and
ponds can be the site of a tragic drowning if children are left unsupervised for
any amount of time.”
The summer season marks the start of outdoor water-related activities and
family gatherings around the pool. The Home Safety Council urges families to
take the following basic safety precautions as they kick off the season, while
keeping indoor water hazards in mind as well.
Swimming Safety and Pool Security
Practice constant adult supervision at all times when children are around any
body of water. Adults must be within an arm’s reach of young children when they
are near water.
Older children should not be left in charge of younger children in the pool area.
Assign specific adults to keep an eye on the pool at all times. When you have
pool parties, formally assign adults to pool supervision shifts to ensure the
children are watched closely throughout the party.
Install four-sided fencing that isolates the pool from the home. Four-sided pool
fencing is proven to be an effective drowning prevention intervention. Pool
fencing should be at least five feet high and have self-locking and self-closing
gates.
Position gate latches out of the reach of young children and never prop the gate
open or disable the latch.
Clear debris, clutter and pool toys from the pool deck and adjoining pathways to
prevent slips and falls.
Keep a cordless, water-resistant telephone in the pool area and post emergency
numbers near the pool area.
Enroll non-swimmers in swimming lessons taught by a qualified instructor.
Never swim alone. Even adults should always swim with a buddy.
Learn and practice lifesaving techniques, including First Aid and CPR. Require
that anyone who cares for your children learn CPR.
Keep poolside rescue equipment close to the pool area.
Water Safety at Home
Young children are especially vulnerable to drowning risk areas inside the home
including toilets, bathtubs and any large bucket. The Home Safety Council
recommends these safety precautions to keep your children safe from potential
water hazards.
Stay within touch supervision around water, always keeping children within an
arm’s reach. Hazards include buckets, bathtubs, toilets, spas and all standing
water.
Practice constant supervision during bath time. Never allow older siblings to
supervise children in or around standing water.
Be aware that baby bath seats are not safety devices and should never
substitute for adult supervision.
Drain the bathtub immediately after using it.
Keep bathroom doors closed and use door knob covers to prevent young
children from accessing bathrooms unsupervised.
Use toilet seat locks and keep toilet lids shut.
Be sure all buckets are emptied immediately after use, turned over with the
opening face down and stored out of children’s reach.
For additional information and resources to help you learn more and stay safe in
and around your home, please visit www.homesafetycouncil.org
About Home Safety Council
The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to
helping prevent more than 20 million medical visits each year from unintentional
injuries in the home. Through national programs and partners across America,
the Home Safety Council works to educate and empower families to take actions
that help keep them safer in and around their homes. To learn more about the
Council’s programs, partnerships and resources visit the Home Safety Council at
www.homesafetycouncil.org
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