As the temperature rises and summer sets in, many Fayette County families will head to the pool for fun in the sun.
But lurking in those waters is a deadly danger if the proper precautions aren’t taken, particularly for children, officials said. Drowning is the leading cause of death in America for children under five years old.
Though most children drown in their own backyard swimming pool, others have drowned in buckets, bathtubs, toilets, dog water bowls, lakes, rivers and ponds, officials said.
Drowning can be prevented with a healthy dose of caution, according to the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
Tips include:
• Know where your children are at all times
• Always have a “designated child watcher”
• Never allow children to be alone near a pool or any water source
• Use an approved barrier to separate the pool from the house
• Have life-saving devices near the pool, such as a pole/hook, or flotation device
• Keep large objects such as tables, chairs, toys, and ladders away from pool fences
• Post the 9-1-1 number on the phone
• Do not allow children to play around the pool and store all toys outside the pool area
• If you leave the pool area, take the children with you
• Learn to swim
• Never swim alone, or while under the influence of alcohol or medications
• Never swim when thunder or lightning is present
• Never dive into unfamiliar or shallow bodies of water
