Safe Kids Week 2007: Splash into Safety
Backyard pools, while providing hours of entertainment during the hot summer months, can be dangerous. Tragically, most drowning and injuries in backyard pools involve children and young adults. In fact, drowning is the second leading cause of injury and death for children under 14.
Safe Kids Week focuses on backyard pool safety
This year, Safe Kids Canada’s annual, national campaign, Safe Kids Week which runs from May 28th to June 5th, will educate parents and caregivers on drowning prevention.
As a leader in swimming and water safety education for more than 60 years, the Canadian Red Cross is proud to be partnering with Safe Kids Canada in support of this effort.
Safe Kids Canada partners across the country will be conducting drowning prevention activities such as lifejacket fitting stations and fashion shows, as well as calling for pool fencing bylaws.
Pool fences could reduce drownings by 70 per cent
An estimated 58 children age 14 and under drown every year in Canada, while another 140 are hospitalized for near-drowning. The majority of cases occur in bathtubs and home swimming pools. Research has shown that a four foot high (1.2 m), four-sided pool fence significantly reduces the risk of drowning and suggests that fencing could prevent 70 per cent of drownings and near-drownings.
Pool fences should be:
- Four-sided
- A minimum of four feet high
- Completely separate the pool from the house
- Designed to resist climbing
- Gates should be self-latching and self-closing; where the latch is located at the top of the fence.
Practice water safety in pools
To avoid tragic incidents in your backyard pool, remember these simple guidelines from the Red Cross:
- Tell visitors the pool rules.
- Ensure adult supervision at all times.
- Use personal flotation devices, not toys for support.
- Drain wading pools and small inflatable backyard pools when not in use.
- Inexperienced swimmers should wear a lifejacket or (PFD) when enjoying water activities.
- Encourage feet first entries.
- Never dive into an above ground pool.
- Do not wear earplugs; they can add dangerous pressure as you descend.
- Keep safety equipment nearby.
- Alcohol and pools don’t mix.
- Get Trained! Ensure you and your children know how to swim and learn water safety by enrolling in the Red Cross Swim Program at your local pool.
- Have a first aid kit on hand and enroll in first aid training so that you know what to do in an emergency.
Pool fencing laws in other countries
Other countries around the globe - Australia, France and New Zealand - have seen reduction in drowning rates through pool fencing laws. More information on Safe Kids Week 2007 advocacy goals, fencing requirements, examples of pool fencing guidelines and legislation in Canada can be found on Safe Kids Canada.
Learn what is being done and what you can do to push for legislative change. If you require assistance with advocacy efforts in your community, contact Rebecca Nesdale-Tucker at rebecca.nesdale-tucker@sickkids.ca
As a national leader, Safe Kids Canada promotes effective strategies to prevent unintentional injuries. By building partnerships and using a comprehensive approach, we advance safety and reduce the burden of injuries to children.
For information on water safety, contact your local Red Cross, and for detailed information about Safe Kids Week, visit http://www.safekidscanada.ca/. Safe Kids Week is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Inc.
