Backyard Pool Safety |
Pool safety is no accident and drowning is preventable. Pool owners must take every precaution to ensure to avoid potentially fatal accidents.
On May 17, a pool owner's nightmare came true. My sons Max and Alex, and their friend Gaby were getting ready for a dip in our pool. Five-year-old Gabriel, who just moved across the street asked if he too could go swimming. I sent him home to ask for permission and cautioned him to bring a lifejacket.
A few minutes had passed when Max told me Gabriel was back. Not giving it a second thought, I told the boys I'd be right out.
"Does Gabriel know how to swim?" Claude my husband asked. "He seems to be having trouble in the water."
WHAT? No one was supposed to be in the water. I ran outside. Gabriel had jumped in the pool. He was in an intense struggle. Only his forehead, hair and hands could be seen sticking out of the water.
"Dive!" Claude yelled to me. I dived in the pool, grabbed the child and brought him to the side. He was coughing and crying but all was well. After nine CPR/First-Aid courses, and refreshers I was glad Gabriel was fine and I didn't have to perform CPR or mouth-to-mouth.
My husband took Gabriel from my arms while I went searching for my glasses. Gabriel's mom came into our yard laughed at the sight of me fully dressed and climbing out of the pool. Her laughter stopped when she realized Gabriel was catching his breath. My husband explained to her what had happened.
She turned to me and said "Thank you for saving his life" and left weeping with her son.
The Canadian Red Cross predicts that more than 600 Canadians will die from drowning this year.
Gabriel this time was lucky, he won't be in those statistics this summer. Pool safety is no accident and drowning is preventable. Pool owners must take every precaution to ensure to avoid potentially fatal accidents.
Backyard pools should be inaccessible, surrounded with a fence and a self-locking gate. If you have an above ground pool, your ladder can be the folding type. Once folded, you can lock the ladder in place and make your pool off limits. Remove all chairs and other outdoor furniture children could drag and climb to have access to the water. Consider a motion detector, an alarm that will sound off if anyone enters the water without your knowledge.
Young children should always wear an approved lifejacket when in the water. Make sure the lifejackets are in good condition and are age and weight appropriate. Enroll your children in swimming lessons. Call your local city at their recreational department for schedules, location and fees of their swimming programs. Your children will not learn the fancy breaststroke or the butterfly but they will learn how to get in and out of the pool and become aware of water's fun and dangers. They'll learn how to float and not panic in the water. Encourage your neighbors to do the same with their children. Public awareness is everyone's responsibility.
When having young guests, discuss swimming with their parents first. Five-year-old Gabriel could have called his mom. By meeting with his mother first, we would have known that Gabriel has a serious ear problem and was not to go in the water at all. Gabriel's lack of swimming abilities would have also been known.
Accidents happen very quickly and when you least expect it. For yourself and your spouse, enroll in a CPR/First-Aid Course. Available through the Canadian Red Cross, the YMCA and many community centers. The training can be Adult CPR, Infant and Child CPR, First Aid, or Water Safety. Call to inquire when the next courses are scheduled and their fees. Should an accident happen, have the knowledge to help you deal with emergencies.
Children can drown in less than two inches of water. Empty and store wading pools when not in use. Make swimming safe by encouraging no running, no horse play, no jumping or diving in swallow water. Be vigilant and never leave children unattended in the pool area. Watch them at all times!
© Marie-Helen Goyetche, all rights reserved
