MCFRS News Release
S O S - Summer of Safety
Pool Safety: July 4th Weekend – Swimming Pools will be popular!
Last night a seven year old Colesville boy drowned in a private home swimming pool. This was one of several drowning incidents that have occurred so far this year since the Memorial Day weekend in Montgomery County. There have been many other near-drowning events, as well. Nationally, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death to children ages 14 and under, taking nearly 1,000 children s lives each year. For every drowning, it is estimated that there are four near-drowning that result in hospitalization. A startling fact is that nearly 9 out of 10 fatal events occur during a brief lapse in supervision; indeed a child can drown in a matter of seconds.
Community and Residential Pool Safety Tips
- Take Swimming lessons and learn CPR.
- Play it safe around water. Stay out if there is no lifeguard or grown-up around.
- Swim only when rested.
- Always swim with a buddy.
- Young children should always swim with an adult.
- Never eat candy or chew gum when you are swimming - you could choke.
- Get out of the water, and seek appropriate shelter, if you hear thunder or see lightening.
- Do not mess around! Running, pushing, or shoving people can cause serious injury to you or your friends. Follow posted rules.
- Always raise your hands over your head when diving.
- Consider water wings or other similar flotation devices for young children.
- Regularly check that the gate latches securely and that the spring mechanisms work properly.
- Do not allow children to play in the pool area. Remove all toys or anything a child might want to get from the vicinity.
- Post the 911 emergency number in the pool area.
- Keep lifesaving equipment, such as a pole, life preserver and rope in the pool area. Hang them from a fence or wall so people will not trip on them.
- Have a phone handy in the pool area. DO NOT answer the phone while your children are in the pool; use the phone only in emergencies to call 911.
- NEVER leave children unattended in the pool area. In the time it takes to sign for a package at your front door (4 to 6 minutes), a child submerged in the pool can sustain permanent brain damage.
- Encourage your neighbors with pools to follow pool safety guidelines, including keeping their back gates and doors locked, and their pool gates secure.
- When at a Public/Community pool adults should always supervise their children even with a lifeguard present.
Montgomery County residents can call the Pool Safety Hotline for a free evaluation of residential swimming pool. MCFRS Residential Pool Safety Hotline 240.777.2239
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