County, Cities Target Child Drowning Crisis

The high number of drownings and near-drownings in Orange County this summer has prompted county officials and the cities of Orange and Villa Park to take steps to reduce preventable deaths of children, officials said.

Orange City Council members on Tuesday decided to tighten requirements for barriers around new residential pools, fountains or spas.

Under a proposed ordinance, if a wall of the house or another building forms part of the barrier to the pool, any doorways leading to the water must have self-latching locks or alarm systems, adding up to $300 to the cost of a new pool, said Kevin Shear, chief building official.

Council members unanimously supported the proposal, which now requires a second reading to become law.

“We recognize that many of the drownings happen because the children open a sliding glass door, and away they go,” said Mayor Joanne Coontz. “It’s too bad this isn’t retroactive.”

In Villa Park, the City Council turned over part of this week’s cable-televised meeting to fire officials.

“Drowning of young children in Orange County has reached epidemic proportions,” Villa Park Mayor Joseph S. Barsa said.

Orange County Fire Capt. Scott Brown told Villa Park officials that parents need to be vigilant about safety, especially during holidays. “Between now and Labor Day we are on blue alert--we’re at war with the water,” he said.

Brown urged residents to learn how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The Villa Park Rotary Club will sponsor a free CPR training session from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21 at City Hall, 17855 Santiago Blvd.

County fire officials and Children’s Hospital of Orange County on Wednesday announced a campaign to use community outreach programs to inform the public of prevention measures. The campaign runs through the Labor Day weekend.