Reilly is pool safety spokeswoman for the Bethesda-based Consumer Product Safety Commission. How large of a problem is pool safety?
I think it’s a very significant issue. Nearly 300 children under the age of 5 drown every year in pools and spas. These incidents are tragedies for families. They alter an entire family’s life. It changes the lives of the siblings and the parents.
What is CPSC doing on this issue?
In 2008, Congress passed the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. CPSC was charged with enforcing this act. … Part of that law includes a public education program. My agency was charged with creating that program. We created the Pool Safety program. It provides information about not only the anti-entrapment parts, but also about drowning prevention. A lot of children drown because of a lapse in supervision. People forget to pay attention to kids in pools.
What safety risks do children face in the water? They’re in the water and no one’s watching. They’ve either run out to answer the phone, or the baby starts crying. The highest number of incidents happen when children get into a pool on their own. When a little toddler gets into the water, they get into trouble very rapidly.
What can caretakers do to keep kids safe? If children are at a pool, they should take turns working as a water watcher. You can take turns with other parents. If you’re a water watcher, that’s all you do. Young children should always be within arm’s reach. Parents should learn to swim and should teach their children. Parents should learn CPR because you never know when you’re going to need it. If you have a pool, put a fence around it. You should also have life rings around a pool. … The whole idea is the preparation. Be ready to do these things.
Emily Babay
