With Las Vegas’ scorching summer temperatures just around the corner, you and your family may be ready to enjoy some fun in the water. Whether you have a backyard swimming pool or visit a community pool, it is vital that your children are protected from drowning accidents. Taking measures to safeguard a swimming pool and to understand water safety basics are important steps every parent should know.
According to Poolsafely.gov, drowning is the top cause of accidental death among children between one and four years of age. Nearly half of all swimming pool drownings occur in backyard pools, while a significant portion of accidents also occur in public or apartment pools. If you have a pool in your backyard, you can take steps to protect your children, as well as neighborhood friends who come over to swim. These may include the following:
- Enclosing the pool area with a tall fence that has a self-latching gate
- Installing an alarm that warns you if someone is opening the gate leading to the pool
- Emptying the water from an above-ground or wading pool when not in use (since toddlers can drown in only a few inches of water)
Adult supervision is also crucial if you have young children. It is never a bad idea to teach them early how to be strong swimmers, and to learn CPR in case of an emergency. You should never assume that a child who knows how to swim will automatically be safe swimming on his or her own. Older children who swim well should still always swim with a buddy, and never leave younger children in the vicinity of a swimming pool without an adult – even if there is a fence around the pool. Understanding the dangers and taking the proper precautions may help you avoid a tragedy.
