Labor Day may mark the “unofficial end of summer” and if you are throwing one last party before you close up those pools, American Medical Response wants to remind you of some simple safety tips to help keep you and your family safer in and around the water.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in five people who die from drowning are children under the age of 14,” said John Robben, Regional Director for AMR (American Medical Response) in Erlanger.
“For each child who dies from drowning, another five kids are seen in the ER for care related to nonfatal submersion. This isn’t just an issue affecting children, though, there are plenty of adults who fall victim to unsafe behavior too.”
AMR encourages you to consider the following tips before heading to the pool.
• Make sure every family member can swim competently. Everyone should know how to safely enter and exit the water, take a breath, float, adjust their position and swim a short distance.
• Be prepared for water emergencies. Before swimming, you should know how to safely aid a swimmer in distress. Be prepared to call for help and know how to perform CPR.
• Never enter a pool headfirst, unless the facility has a designated spot for diving.
• Avoid pool drains and other openings that cause suction. If you own a pool, install drain covers that prevent entrapment and proper safety releases.
• Designate a swimming buddy.
• Never let children swim unsupervised. For pool owners, make sure that your pool is secure when not in use.
• Never go swimming when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• If members of your party are drinking, make sure you have a sober water watcher who can monitor the group without distraction.
AMR is committed to the health and wellbeing of the communities it serves. Our caregivers promote safety and preparedness to save lives and prevent both injury and disability. For more information on pool safety, visit Redcross.org.
American Medical Response