As the swimming season begins, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is re-issuing its pool barrier guidelines to help prevent about 300 drownings of children each year in residential swimming pools.
Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in the homes of children under age 5 in states such as California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida. In addition, each year more than 2,000 young children are treated in hospital emergency rooms nationwide for submersion injuries, such as brain damage.
"Supervision is key to preventing a child from drowning in what is a silent death that happens very quickly," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "A child can drown in the time it takes to answer the telephone. Most of the young victims are missing from sight for less than just five minutes."
Barriers and pool covers can reduce the risk of child drownings. CPSC recommends that parents install the following safety devices to prevent access and give parents time to locate a child before tragedy strikes: þ A fence or barrier at least 4 feet high with no footholds or handholds should surround the entire pool. þ If a wall of the house serves as a side of the barrier, the house doors should be protected with alarms. þ In addition to the barriers, a power safety cover should protect the pool when it is not in use.
"The three barriers that CPSC recommends can buy you time and may save your child's life," Brown said.
In addition to installing safety devices, parents can take other steps to help prevent drownings. CPSC recommends that parents and other caregivers should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If a child is missing, check the pool first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
CPSC offers consumers two free publications to help prevent child drownings: "Safety Barrier Guidelines for Pools" (CPSC362), and "How To Plan For the Unexpected" (CPSC359). Consumers can obtain copies of the publications by sending their names and addresses to "Pool Safety," U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
For lifesaving information:
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