Keeping Summer Safe

To millions of young people across the country, summer means no school, nice weather and lots of time in the pool. This can be fun and good for physical fitness, but it also carries the potential for danger. Because we are tasked with keeping our children safe, it’s important that we know the facts.

Through an initiative called Pool Safely, the government has compiled a wealth of information to inform the public about the risks of danger in swimming pools—as well as how to minimize them.

There are shocking statistics, such as these:

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1 to 4.

On average, nearly 400 kids 14 and under die in pools and spas every year.

More than 5,000 people are treated annually in emergency rooms for drowning-related injuries.

And then there are vital safety tips and suggestions:

• Put up a 4-foot-high fence. A fence around the pool can cut the risk of drowning in half.
• Learn CPR.
• Be sure pool equipment has not been recalled due to a safety hazard.
• Store pool chemicals in a safe place. These chemicals send thousands of people to the emergency room each year.
• If someone becomes stuck in a drain at the bottom of the pool, don’t simply pull. Slide your hand between them and the drain to break the suction.

There’s much more. The Perey Law Group compiled some of the key information into an infographic you should check out.

Stay informed, and stay safe.