Commission Reminds Parents of Safety Tips for Holiday Weekend

The federal government’s drowning prevention campaign, Pool Safely, wants to remind all families to stay safe around the water while they’re celebrating this week.

As many families and kids head to the pool during the holiday weekend, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is reminding parents and children of the steps they should take to stay safe when spending time in the water. 

They are more pool and spa drownings over the holiday week compared to others during the summer, according to US Swimming data. 

During the past three years, an average of 26 children drowned that week in pools and spas, the data shows. 

Last year, 30 pool or spa-related drownings were reported involving children younger than 15 over the week of the July 4 holiday (June 30 through July 6); in 2011, there were 25 drownings reported; and in 2010, 24 drownings for the same age range.

Commission Chairman Inez Tenenbaum, reminds parents of the following pool and spa safety steps: 

Staying Close, Being Alert and Watching Children in and Around the Pool

• Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa and always watch your children closely around all bodies of water. Designate a water watcher to supervise children in the pool or spa. This person should not be reading, texting, using a smart phone or otherwise distracted. Adults can take turns being a Water Watcher.
• Teach children basic water safety tips.
• Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments.
• Have a telephone close by when you or your family are using a pool or spa.
• If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first.
• Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors.
  

• Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim.
• Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults, and update those skills regularly.
• Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist in a pool emergency.
  

• Install a four-foot or taller fence around the perimeter of the pool and spa   and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools.
• Install and use a lockable safety cover on your spa.
• If your house serves as a fourth side of a fence around a pool, install and use a door or pool alarm.
• Maintain pool and spa covers in good working order.
• Ensure any pool and spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal standards, and, if you do not know, ask your pool service provider whether your covers are in compliance.
• Have lifesaving equipment such as life rings, floats or a reaching pole available and easily accessible.