WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug 74) -- The U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission today warned that almost 50,000 persons
will require hospital emergency room treatment this year in
accidents associated with some of the nation's four million
swimming pools.
Residential in-ground pools now number about one million
and home above-ground pools are estimated at three million,
according to the National Swimming Pool Institute. The Institute
also states there are about 340,300 in-ground pools in hotels,
motels, apartments, parks and public facilities, schools, clubs
and camps.
Commission injury statistics indicate that 39,500 persons,
annually will seek hospital emergency room care for injuries
involving below-ground pools; about 10,000 will need treatment
for injuries related to above-ground pools. Seventy-five
per cent of the injured will involve persons 19 and under, and
almost twice as many boys as girls will be hurt.
The National Safety Council reports that 600 children
and adults drown annually in swimming pools, 330 in home pools.
Swimming alone or without adult supervision leads to many
drownings. Each year, headlines note the deaths of infants and
children who tumble into pools and drown because a gate was
left open or they otherwise were able to gain access to a pool
when no one was around to save them.
Many severe injuries result from falling on slippery
walkways and decks and falling from diving boards and ladders.
Diving and jumping into shallow water also are major causes of
serious injuries.
Although many pool accidents are related to running and
roughhousing, numerous injuries also are attributed to the pool,
its accessories and general environment.
The severity of injuries associated with swimming pool
water slides-- permanent disabilities for some adults and
children who went head first down the slide and struck the
bottom of the pool-- led to a Commission decision in June to
commence a proceeding to develop a mandatory safety standard
or slides.
The Commission also is considering a variety of approaches
that could reduce injuries associated with other pool hazards
such as sharp edges and protruding bolts, slippery ladders,
decks and diving boards, lack of depth indicators, shock hazards
from electrical wiring and problems of exploding filter tanks.
Commission staff recommend a number of precautionary measures consumers can take to reduce home pool hazards.
Construction and maintenance:
Check local ordinances and codes for safety requirements.
Use non-slip materials on the pool deck, diving board and ladders.
The steps of the pool ladder should be at least
three inches wide, and the ladder should have handrails on
both sides small enough for a child to grasp. There should
be a ladder at both ends of the pool.
Electrical equipment should be installed by a licensed
electrician in accordance with local safety codes. Ground-fault
circuit interrupters are now recommended for pool area
installations. Faulty electrical installations could cause
serous or fatal electric shock.
Check with a reputable pool contractor to be sure
the depth is sufficient for a diving board or slide. Always
put a slide in a deep area of the pool-- never in shallow
water.
There should be a fence at least six feet high
around all sides of the pool with a locked gate to keep children
out when there is no supervision and the fence should be
constructed so it is difficult to climb. Lawn furniture, trees
and shrubs should not be close enough to provide an easy boost
over the fence. Avoid using a side of the house as part of the
fence; toddlers have wandered out through an open patio door or
window and drowned.
Mark water depths conspicuously. Use a safety
float line where the bottom slope deepens.
Above-ground pools: Install sturdy guard rails
around the pool deck. Look for rolled rims on the metal shell
to be sure the rims do not present a sharp cutting edge if
someone falls. The access ladder to the deck should be sturdy
and without protruding bolts or other sharp edges. The access
ladder should swing up to prevent children from unauthorized
entry or should be easily removable for secure storage away
from the pool area.
Check the pool and equipment periodically for
cleanliness and good maintenance. Cover all sharp edges and
protruding bolts; repair rickety or broken ladders and railings.
Replace non-slip materials when they wear out.
Use:
Obviously teach children to float or swim as soon as
possible.
Always provide competent adult supervision when
the pool is in use.
Even adults should never swim alone.
Caution children against showing off and playing
rough and explain the dangers of running and diving recklessly.
Never push others into the pool.
When using water slides, always go feet first.
Before diving or sliding, check to be sure that
other swimmers are out of the way.
Keep rescue devices and first aid supplies near
the pool. A floating shepherds crook is useful.
Teach children what to do in case of emergency.
An alarm bell that could summon help would be a good idea.
Keep electrical appliances such as radios out of
the pool area because of the hazard of electrical shock.
Never swim after drinking alcoholic beverages,
eating or taking medications.
To report pool hazards and pool-related injuries, call the toll-free
safety hotline: 800-638-2772.