Pool Safety

POOL SAFETY Drowning Accidents and How to Prevent Them It's our job to protect children from unseen dangers, including those that disguise themselves as innocent summer fun. Every year, when spring brightens to summer, Washington residents of all ages eagerly take to swimming pools, ofte unaware of the dangers. 5,100 390 emergency room-treated drowning-related injuries treated annually from 2010-2012 annual average number of drowning deaths in pools and spas of children ages 0-14 from 2008-2010 as reported by the CPSC. 76 percent of reported fatalities and injuries which occur in children under 5 #1 drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1-4 67 percent of deaths involving children between ages of 1 and 3 HOW TO PREVENT CHILDREN FROM DROWNING Parents and Caretakers There are numerous water safety steps that can be adopted to significantly reduce the number of child drowning deaths and submersion injuries that occur each year in the United States. What Yo Can Do Always watch your child when he or she is in or near a pool or spa · Have a portable telephone close by at all times 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 · Learn to perform CPR on children and adults, and update those skills regularly Hazardous or Poorly Maintained Pool and Grounds The risk of drowning is cut in half when there is a fence that completely surrounds the pool What You Can Do · Parents and homeowners must minimize risk of injuries resulting from slip-and-fall incidents by maintaining pool grounds and banning dangerous behaviors. Install a 4-foot fence around the perimeter of the pool and make sure it has a gate that is self-closing and self-latching. Pool Equipment and Toys Floatation devices may deflate, resulting in drowning. What You Can Do · See if any toys or equipment have been recalled due to safety hazards · Check all toys at the beginning of the summer to ensure that they are still in safe working condition Filtration and Suction Systems Cause Entrapment From 1999 to 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)reported 83 incid of suction entrapment leading to injury or death. What You Can Do If someone does become stuck to the drain, the best way to dislodge him or her is to wedge your hand in between his or her body and the grate - disrupting the suction force - rather than using a pulling action Incorrectly Preparing a Pool to Close or Reopen Pool Chemicals In 2008, an estimated 4,574 people visited an emergency room for pool chemical-related injuries. 72% of drowning deaths from 2006 to 2008 occurred in residential pools or spas. What You Can Do What You Can Do · Store pool chemicals out of the reach of children · Add the pool chemicals correctly · Avoid splashing chemicals into your eyes or onto your skin · Hire professionals for pool maintenance or seek professional's advice This pool safety infographic was created by The Perey Law Group in Seattle, Washington. Pools simple steps save lives All information comes from the U.S. government's Pool Safely Campaign. SAFELY http://pereylaw.com http://www.poolsafely.gov PEREY LAW GROUPIC (206) 443-7600