Caution is Necessary To Prevent Pool Accidents This Summer, According to Pacific Hospital Long Beach

PHILADELPHIA, PA, June 27, 2013

The professionals at Pacific Hospital Long Beach, an accredited teaching hospital, are lending their support to a new article that details the importance of vigilance as children enjoy fun at the pool this summer. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that drowning is the second leading cause of death among kids ages one to 19. Each year, more than 1,000 children drown nationwide. Therefore, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises moms and dads to enroll children in swimming lessons, but explain that simply knowing how to swim is not enough to prevent drowning from occurring. Adult supervision is a must, regardless of the child's swimming skills.

While drowning is all too prevalent among children, it is also entirely preventable. In order to keep boys and girls safe as they enjoy time in the pool as the weather heats up, parents should make sure to never leave children unattended. This applies both when they are actually in the water, and when they are playing on the pool deck. Since drowning can happen very quickly, even spending a moment away from children in the pool becomes dangerous. Kids can get caught off guard, thus quickly inhibiting their ability to respond properly should they begin to encounter danger in the water.

The team at Pacific Hospital Long Beach supports this advice. "Unfortunately, parents are often lulled into a false sense of safety. They see their children swimming laps in the pool and assume that it is impossible for them to drown. However, a child can get water in their nose and mouth, become flustered, and danger can strike. Therefore, a watchful eye is necessary at all times, regardless of the boy or girl's swimming skills."

For kids younger than five years of age, "touch" supervision is a must. This means that the child always keeps an adult within arm's length as they swim, regardless of whether they are comfortable in the pool or outfitted with flotation devices. Water wings and pool noodles should never act as a substitute for careful adult supervision. Children should also be encouraged to swim with a partner, thus allowing the other kid to provide support should assistance from an adult become necessary.

Whenever a child goes swimming, whether at home or in a public pool, rules should be established ahead of time and then put into place. This may include regulations about how deep the child can go or what types of games they are permitted to play. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and that safety is the number one priority.

When young children are coming to visit a house with a pool, the homeowner should move pool toys away from the pool deck. These items can quickly catch a young boy or girl's eye, causing them to wander toward the pool to grab hold of the toy. It is then easy for them to accidentally fall in.

The staff members at Pacific Hospital Long Beach California encourage parents to check the fences or gates surrounding their pool at home carefully, patching up any gaps or weak spots in order to ensure that it will keep children from entering without the supervision of an adult.

ABOUT:

Pacific Hospital Long Beach is a fully accredited and recognized teaching hospital that offers residencies in family practice, dermatology, and internal medicine. Residents at the hospital enjoy a comprehensive experience that emphasizes professionalism, medical expertise, and communication skills. The residency and internship program is approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).