The Los Angeles County Fire Department, which serves Diamond Bar, Walnut, the City of Industry and Rowland Heights provided the following tips about drowning prevention.
Courtesy of the Los Angeles Fire Department
Los Angeles County firefighters and paramedics have heard all too often, “I only looked away for just a few seconds!”
Unfortunately, that’s all it takes for a child to drown. Drowning accidents are a leading cause of death for children one to four years of age. Almost 70 percent of all drowning accidents occur in backyard swimming pools, but they could have all been prevented.
Please follow these simple rules when trying to stay safe (and cool!) during hot summer days. Beach and Water Safety If a child or adult is in trouble in a pool:
Drowning Prevention Tips
- Never take your eyes off a child when he or she is in or near any body of water, even for a second.
- Don’t rely solely on barriers, such as fences or walls near a pool or spa. There is no substitute for constant supervision.
- Keep toys, tricycles, and other children’s playthings out of the water and away from the pool or spa. Don’t consider your children to be “drown-proof” because you enrolled them in swimming or “water-proofing” classes.
- Don’t rely on inflatable devices to keep your child afloat. These are not substitutes for adult supervision.
- Make sure your pool or spa has a fence, wall or safety cover that guards against unsupervised access, particularly by young children.
- Make sure doors leading to the pool or spa area are self-closing and self-latching, or are equipped with exit alarms and are never propped open.
- Always drain standing (surface) water from the pool cover. Remember that even a few inches of water can be hazardous, especially to young children.
- Install a phone, or keep a cordless phone, in the pool or spa area.
Beach and Water Safety
If a child or adult is in trouble in a pool:
1. Don’t panic; yell for help.
2. Get the child/adult out of the pool immediately.
3. Call 9-1-1 immediately for emergency medical services.
4. If you’re trained, begin CPR if necessary.
5. If you’re not trained in CPR, follow telephone instructions from the Fire Department until they arrive to assist you.
The County of Los Angeles Fire Department wants everyone to remember to exercise safety during any water recreational activity. Remember, the next time you are by the pool, just a few seconds is all it takes for a life to be lost to this preventable tragedy.
For more helpful tips, follow us on Facebook and Twitter Facebook.com/LACoFD Twitter.com/LACo_FD.
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