6 ways to make pools safer for kids.

Bloomington, IL,
09
June
2014
|
00:00 AM
America/Chicago

Be A Good Neighbor: Secure Your Pool!

It’s that time of year…the sizzle of the grill, the smell of fresh cut grass, flowers in bloom, family vacations, baseball, and of course cooling off while enjoying the water. Unfortunately, along with the fun being in and around water can bring, it is also the time of year when we hear and read about the tragedy of water related accidents and deaths.

300 children under the age of 5 drown in swimming pools each year. 2,600 more are treated in ER's

An alarming fact to consider is how fast it happens.

Most had been out of sight less than 5 minutes with adults at home.

This summer, you can be a good neighbor by making your pool safer for kids. Call a specialist in your area for an inspection and remember these tips:

1. If it’s not a designated time for enjoying the pool, make it impossible for the kids to sneak out alone.

Install alarms on doors opening out to a pool or hot tub.

2. Restrict access to above ground pools.

Remove ladders and slides when pool is not in use.

3. Make sure your pool is surrounded by a fence.

Barriers around home pools should be at least 4 feet tall.

And whether you are at the pool or the beach, here are a few things to do when you’re with kids around water:

4. Be part of the action

Never leave a child unattended near water.

5. Keep your eyes on the kids at all times. Always stay within arm’s reach of young children and put down the phones.

Avoid distractions like your cell phone when supervising children around water.

6. Remember, friends make everything more fun!

Always swim with a buddy.

Enjoy your summer and keep your family safe. Visit www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/water-safety for more safety tips.

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