Water SafetyWater Safety
Drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death of children. Most drownings and near-drownings happen when a child accidentally falls into a pool or is left alone in the tub . Drownings can happen in a matter of seconds.A child can drown in the time it takes to answer the phone. Never leave a young child alone or with asibling in the tub...not even to answer the phone or to get a towel. Ifyou must leave, take the child with you. Always watch your child by the pool, spa,beach, or lake. Beware of backyard pools and spas in the neighborhood.Your child could wander off and accidentally fall in. Install a poolsidetelephone. Enroll children over age 3 in swimminglessons taught by qualified instructors. But keep in mind that lessonsdon't make your child "drown-proof." Never let older children swim in unsupervisedareas like quarries, canals, or ponds. Older kids are at risk of drowningwhen they overestimate their ability or underestimate how deep the wateris. Install a four-sided fence around your poolor spa. The house should not be used as one of the four sides. The fenceshould be five feet high and have a self-closing and self-latchinggate.