The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) joins the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in recognizing July 22 through 29, 2012 as Pool Safely Week. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death by unintentional injury in children between the ages of 1 and 5. Pool Safely Week encourages parents and caregivers to help prevent future tragedies.
“Drownings can occur quickly and even the most diligent parents or caregivers may have momentary lapses in supervision,” said IDPH Director, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. “Pool Safely Week highlights the need for Iowans to practice good water safety, and offers a reminder that these deaths and injuries are preventable.”
Iowans are urged to remember water safety year round in pools, spas, indoor water parks, and aquatic facilities. Adults can make swimming safer for children by:
- Directly supervising all young children and non-swimmers that you bring to the pool, even when lifeguards are provided.
- Keeping children under the age of 5 within arm’s reach whenever in or around the water.
- Teaching children to swim. Formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning.
- Using lifejackets for non-swimmers.
- Avoiding alcohol use while swimming or supervising children.
- Providing fences around swimming pools and spas.
For more information on Pool Safely Week, visit www.poolsafely.gov/.
