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Swimming Pool Safety & Drowning Prevention Tips Drowning Prevention Tips Facts about Drowning: • Children drown during routine household activities, with adults present and providing normal levels of supervision. • Most children who drowned or nearly drowned were last seen in the house or away from the pool or spa. Action Step: Protection Use layers of barriers of protection between the child and water to warn and impede. Pool and spa owners can take practical steps to make their pool and spa less dangerous by installing “layers of protection.” These include: • Pool safety covers • Alarms on doors and windows leading to the water • Self-closing, self-latching gates and doors leading to the pool/spa with latches above a child’s reach. Action Step: Supervision Water, with it’s shimmering, rippling appeal is a magnet for kids. Children under the age of 5 have no fear of water. They associate water with play, not with danger. Adults must establish and communicate responsibility for child safety. Action Step: Preparation • Learn how to swim and learn rescue techniques. • Encourage anyone over 14 years of age to receive current training in infant/child CPR. On January 1, 1998 Assembly Bill 3305, known as the Swimming Pool Safety Act, became effective. This bill set new safety standards for all newly constructed, privately owned swimming pools. Although this bill specifically addresses new construction, it is strongly recommended that all swimming pools comply with these measures. The aforementioned bill mandates that all pools constructed after January 1, 1998 posses at least one of the following safety devices: • Pools shall be isolated by a fence no lower than 60” in height. • Gates having access to the swimming pool, must be self closing, self locking and open away from the pool. • The maximum vertical clearance from the ground to the bottom of the fence shall be no more then two inches. • The fence shall have no gaps or voids greater than four inches (shall not allow the passage of a 4” sphere through the fence). • Exit alarms should be installed on all doors and windows having direct access to the pool. • All doors having direct access to the pool shall be equipped with a self closing, self latching device. The release mechanism for this device must be no lower then 54” above the floor. • The swimming pool should be equipped with an approved safety pool cover. • Hot tubs and spas should be equipped with a locking safety cover. Sponsored by the City of Dublin ---PAGE BREAK--- Pool Safety Checklist Are you currently CPR certified? Is your pool completely separated from the house and/or play area by a fence? Does the fence cover all four sides around the pool? Is the fence a minimum of 60 inches tall with a self closing gate? Does the gate around the pool open away from the pool and is there a locking device? Are locks and alarms installed on all doors and windows having direct access to pool? Is a safety pool cover in place when the pool is not in use? Have cracked or damage pool drain covers been replaced? Is an approved floatation device readily accessible within the pool area? Are all toys stored outside of the pool area? Is the pump and electrical shut off switch both clearly marked? Are all electrical appliances stored outside of the pool area? Are pool chemicals locked up and stored out of the reach of children? • Never allow young children to swim alone. • Babysitters and guardians should always be instructed about potential hazards in and around the pool. • Never rely on swimming devices or swimming lessons to protect a child. Twenty five percent of all drowning victims have had swimming lessons. • Mount flotation devices designed for life- saving near the pool. Many float-type toys are thought to be lifesavers—They aren’t! They are only toys and should be used only as toys. • Alcohol and swimming don’t mix. When adults become preoccupied, children are at risk. • Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision. Childhood drownings and near-drownings can happen in a matter of seconds. They typically occur when a child is left unattended or during a brief lapse in supervision. For every child that drowns, an additional three receive emergency room treatment for unintentional drowning-related incidents. The City of Dublin and their fire service provider, the Alameda County Fire Department, are trying to eliminate these types of preventable accidents in our community. Whether you have a pool or spa in your backyard or not, each and every resident needs to be aware of the potential safety hazards that exist in and around pools and spas. The City of Dublin is committed to providing information and training to help prevent a child or adult from becoming the victim of an accidental drowning or pool related injury. Information regarding community education, code enforcement, and swimming instruction is available to assist any community member that is interested in developing a greater awareness of swimming pool safety and drowning prevention. We encourage all residents to contact the appropriate division below to find out more about their services and programs. • Swim Lessons: (925) 833-6645 • Building & Safety Department: (925) 833-6620 • Alameda County Fire Community Education: (510) 667-3148 Pool Safety Tips Important Numbers • In case of emergency dial: 9-1-1 • To schedule free CPR Training, call the Alameda County Fire Department CPR Hotline: (510) 670-5895 • To receive certification in CPR, contact the American Heart Association: 1 (877) 242-4277