Safety and Prevention- Swimming Safety

As summer time approaches and the citizens of Eden utilize the Dan River, Smith River and swimming pools in the City of Eden, it is important to remember swimming and water safety.

Below are statistics, pool rules and tips to help you and your family stay safe in the water. 

Statistics  

From 2005-2009, there were an average of 3,533 fatal unintentional drowning’s (non-boating related) annually in the United States—about ten deaths per day. An additional 347 people die each year from drowning in boating related incidents.

About one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger.  For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries. 

More than 50% of drowning victims treated in emergency departments require hospitalization or transfer for further care.  These nonfatal drowning injuries can cause severe brain damage that may result in long-term disabilities such as memory problems, learning disabilities and permanent loss of basic functioning.    

 Pool Rules

 If you have a pool, insist that the following rules are followed:

·         Keep toys away for the pool when the pool is not in use.

·         Empty blow-up pools after each use.

·         No tricycles or other riding toys at poolside.

·         No electrical appliances near the pool.

·         No diving in a pool that is not deep enough

·         No running on the pool deck.

 

Keep safe by following these simple common-sense diving rules.

·       Check how deep the water is.  Enter the water feet first, especially when going in the first time.

·         Never dive into above-ground pools; they are usually not deep enough.

·         Never dive into the shallow end of a pool

·         Never die through inner tubes or other pool toys.

·         Learn how to dive properly by taking classes. 

 

Tips to help you stay safe in the water

Supervise When in or Around Water-----Designate a responsible adult to watch young children while in the bath and all children swimming or playing in or around water.  Supervisors of preschool children should provide “touch supervision”, be close enough to reach the child at all times.  Because drowning occurs quickly and quietly, adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading, playing cards, talking on the phone or mowing the lawn) while supervising children, even if lifeguards are present. 

Use the Buddy System----Always swim with a buddy.  Select swimming sites that have lifeguards when possible.

Seizure Disorder Safety----If you or a family member has a seizure disorder, provide one-on-one supervision around water, including swimming pools. 

Learn to Swim----Formal swimming lessons can protect young children from drowning.  However, even when children have had formal swimming lessons, constant, careful supervision is still important when children are in the water.

Learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)----In the time it takes for paramedics to arrive, your CPR skills could save someone’s life. 

Air-filled or Foam Toys are not safety devices----Don’t use air-filled or foam toys, such as “water wings”, “noodles”, or inner-tubes, instead of life jackets.  These toys are not life jackets and are not designed to keep swimmers safe.

Avoid Alcohol----Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, or water skiing. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children. 

Know the weather conditions and forecast before swimming or boating----During the summer, storms can form quickly.  Monitor the weather conditions, strong winds and thunderstorms with lightning strikes are dangerous. 

Read more about water safety statistics and tips at:    

http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/water-safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html