Pasadena Fire Department Offers Water Safety Tips

With kids out of school for the summer months, water activity is a fun and cost effective way to beat the heat. The Pasadena Fire Department reminds the public that drowning is one of the top five leading causes of death for children under five and it only takes a second to prevent a tragedy.

National figures show that 260 children drown each year in backyard swimming pools and spas. To protect your little ones and their friends, the Pasadena Fire Department provides these water safety tips:

• Remember that only you can prevent a drowning. Watch your child closely at all times.

• Talk to your babysitters about potential hazards and instruct them to watch all children in and around your swimming pool at all times.

• Completely fence your pool. Install self-closing and self-latching gates with latches high enough that they’re out of reach of young children.

• Keep tables and chairs well away from the pool fence to prevent children from climbing into the pool area.

• Keep all doors and windows leading to the pool locked and secure to prevent small children from getting to the pool. Remember that barriers and locks are a must but there’s no substitute for supervision.

• Don’t use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.

• Never use a pool with its cover partially in place – children may become trapped under it. Remove the cover completely when the pool is in use. 

• Keep toys away from the pool area. A young child playing with the toys may fall in the water accidentally. 

• Remove steps to above-ground pools when they’re not in use.

• Have a telephone at poolside so you can answer the phone without leaving your children unattended. Keep emergency numbers near outside phone. 

• Keep your pool water clean so there are no obstructions.

• Keep rescue equipment by your pool.

• Take a First Aid and CPR course.