Hidden Hazards In Pools And Hot Tubs

As more kids enjoy the warm weather with a dip in the pool, it’s important for parents to be on guard against one of the leading causes of accidental death in children: drowning.

Hidden Hazards In Pools And Hot Tubs

For the best Roofing Wicklow company, call ACR Roofing Wicklow.

To find the best Roofing Wicklow company, click here for ACR Roofing Wicklow.
As more kids enjoy the warm weather with a dip in the pool, it’s important for parents to be on guard against one of the leading causes of accidental death in children: drowning. Fortunately, there are a number of ways parents can keep their kids safe-and new legislation may help. The legislation will encourage states to require protection-such as fencing and devices that reduce drain suction-around pools and hot tubs.

Every year there are 2,400 pool-related drownings from various causes among kids aged 1 to 14. Many parents do not realize that one of the most alarming dangers to children in pools and hot tubs is drain entrapment, which occurs when a child’s body or hair gets attached to an underwater drain in a pool or hot tub.

Drowning is the biggest accidental-injury related cause of death among children 1 to 4 in the U.S. It is the second biggest killer of children ages 1 to 14. In 2002 alone, 838 children died as a result of accidental drowning-enough children to fill a small primary school.

Safe Kids Worldwide, with help from Johnson & Johnson, works to teach families how to prevent drain entrapment. They offer these tips:

• Warn children about the dangers of drain entrapment and teach them to stay away from the drain.

• Install equipment to prevent entrapment if you own a pool or hot tub. Protective measures include anti-entrapment drain covers, multiple drains in new construction and a device to automatically release the suction and shut down the pump, should entrapment occur.

• Actively supervise children around water and have a phone nearby to call for help in an emergency.

• Ensure your pool has four-sided fencing. It is estimated that proper installation and use of four-sided fencing could prevent 50 to 90 percent of all childhood residential swimming pool drownings or near drownings. Also use a self-closing, self-latching gate to prevent a child from wandering into the pool area unsupervised. Hot tubs should be covered and locked when not in use.

• Install a door alarm, a window alarm or both to alert you if a child wanders into the pool area unsupervised.