Swimming Safety Tips

It's almost that time of year again! Along with the ever-growing anticipation for the last day of school, water lovers of all ages eagerly await Memorial Day weekend traditionally recognized as the first day of pool season. The summer love affair with all things aquatic also represents one of the most potentially dangerous seasons of the year.

According to Houston-based Save a Life - Prevent a Drowning about 80 percent of drownings occur between May and September. The statistics for fatal and nonfatal drownings in the U.S., while showing a slight decrease over the last several years, are horrifying. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention 3,306 fatal drownings occurred in 2003, with children ages 1-4 making up the greatest number of swimming fatalities.

Additionally, pool goers should note fatal drownings are only a small portion of the water-related injuries reported each year. The CDCP reports an alarming number of non-fatal injuries, up to five times the number of fatal drownings each year. Not often cited in reports, are secondary drownings. These can occur weeks after the initial incident and are the result of water remaining in the lungs.

Younger children are naturally attracted to water whether or not they know how to swim. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission toddlers who fall into the water are less likely to splash, struggle or make noise when in danger in water making prevention a primary focus in keeping toddlers safe around water. Add to this the fact most young drowning victims were last seen in the home, had been out of sight less than five minutes, and were in the care of one or both parents at the time, it becomes apparent why pool safety becomes so important during the late spring and summer months.

Keri Grant, Fire and Life Safety Coordinator for the McKinney, Tx Fire Department, warns families a child can drown in the time that it takes to run inside the house for a towel, answer a phone call, or answer the door bell.