How to Protect Children From Danger of Drowning

“Drowning is the No. 1 cause of death in children from 1 to 5 years of age,” says Rebecca McCain, Red Cross aquatic and youth specialist, citing a National Safety Council statistic.

McCain recommends that, short of cementing over your pool, parents take the following precautions:

Supervision is crucial. “A child can drown in less time than it takes for you to answer the phone,” McCain says. “All it takes is two minutes.” Many swim schools teach small children how to reach the side of the pool or go to a step area. “But that does not take the place of supervision,” she says, adding that two-thirds of those who drown know how to swim but overexert or have boating accidents.

Build barricades around your pool. Ensure that latches are not within the reach of small children and lock gates that so children cannot enter the pool area. Remove chairs that could enable a child to climb over the fence. Also, check to see if children could possibly climb under the fence.

Keep items such as tricycles and inflatable toys out of the pool area to discourage young children from entering.

Keep the water level of your pool high. In the pool, children’s short arms may navigate them to the edge, but not necessarily over it to safe ground if the water level is too low.

Ensure that at least one household member, or whoever supervises your child, knows cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Post emergency medical service numbers near your telephone and place a cordless phone in the pool area. “Teach your children how to dial 911,” McCain says. “But don’t say ‘nine-eleven’ because children have been known to search for the ‘11’ button on a telephone.”