Pool Safety Tips to Prevent Child Drownings

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Alarming new numbers from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission that show South Carolina is the per capita leader in the nation in the number of children who have drowned in swimming pools. “The world is 71% water and kids are 100% curious,” says YMCA Representative M.J. Peirce. And that curiosity could have deadly consequences for children who don’t know how to swim. According to the USA Swimming Foundation South Carolina experienced 5 child drownings in July alone, bringing the State’s yearly total to 8. According to Peirce,”Kids are going to be around water in lakes and pools… Kids will jump in not thinking about the fact that they don’t know how to swim and they don’t realize it until they’re in the water.” Authorities say it’s critical that parents remain vigilant while children are in the water, even if they know how to swim. “Instead of using it as ‘my kids are entertained’ be with them and we also recommend for any non swimming child, that parents are within an arms reach of the child while they’re in the water,” says Peirce. Officials say that commonly used pool toys and flotation devices don’t substitute for a Coast Guard approved life jacket. “If a child is in floaties, those aren’t necessarily going to hold that child up, they’re not the safest. If they’re floating on a pool noodle and they fall off or they’re in an intertube and they slide down then it’s just not going to keep them safe,” adds Peirce. For those with home pools, Y-M-C-A reps recommend taking precautions to prevent children from entering the water alone. “Fencing those pools off with gates they can’t get through is important. if you have young kids who could get out the door make sure the door is locked so they can’t get into the pool before you realize they’re out there,” recommends Peirce. And whether you’re 6 months or 60 years old, it’s never too early or too late for swim lessons. According to Peirce,”It’s really all about helping children get comfortable in the water and get familiar with the water and then swim lessons can happen all the way up through adulthood.”