As More Kids Enjoy The Warm Weather With A Dip In The Pool, It's Important For Parents To Be On Guard Against One Of The Leading Causes Of Accidental Death In Children: Drowning. Fortunately, There Are A Number Of Ways Parents Can Keep Their Kids Safe-and New Legislation May Help. The Legislation Will Encourage States To Require Protection-such As Fencing And Devices That Reduce Drain Suction-around Pools And Hot Tubs. Every Year There Are 2,400 Pool-related Drownings From Various Causes Among Kids Aged 1 To 14. Many Parents Do Not Realize That One Of The Most Alarming Dangers To Children In Pools And Hot Tubs Is Drain Entrapment, Which Occurs When A Child's Body Or Hair Gets Attached To An Underwater Drain In A Pool Or Hot Tub.Drowning Is The Biggest Accidental-injury Related Cause Of Death Among Children 1 To 4 In The U.S. It Is The Second Biggest Killer Of Children Ages 1 To 14. In 2002 Alone, 838 Children Died As A Result Of Accidental Drowning-enough Children To Fill A Small Primary School.Safe Kids Worldwide, With Help From Johnson Johnson, Works To Teach Families How To Prevent Drain Entrapment. They Offer These Tips:8226; Warn Children About The Dangers Of Drain Entrapment And Teach Them To Stay Away From The Drain.8226; Install Equipment To Prevent Entrapment If You Own A Pool Or Hot Tub. Protective Measures Include Anti-entrapment Drain Covers, Multiple Drains In New Construction And A Device To Automatically Release The Suction And Shut Down The Pump, Should Entrapment Occur.8226; Actively Supervise Children Around Water And Have A Phone Nearby To Call For Help In An Emergency. 8226; Ensure Your Pool Has Four-sided Fencing. It Is Estimated That Proper Installation And Use Of Four-sided Fencing Could Prevent 50 To 90 Percent Of All Childhood Residential Swimming Pool Drownings Or Near Drownings. Also Use A Self-closing, Self-latching Gate To Prevent A Child From Wandering Into The Pool Area Unsupervised. Hot Tubs Should Be Covered And Locked When Not In Use.8226; Install A Door Alarm, A Window Alarm Or Both To Alert You If A Child Wanders Into The Pool Area Unsupervised.
