Facts:

• Drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related deaths for children under the age of 14.
• Children under the age of 5 years old can drown in 5 cm (2 inches) of water!

Do you have any of the following backyard drowning risks?

• An above-ground
• An in-ground pool
• An inflatable pool
• A “kiddie” pool
• A pond or fountain
• A hot tub
• A ditch

Why Are Children Are at Risk of Drowning?

Children under 5 years old:

• Have a natural curiosity and attraction to water but don’t have a sense of danger.
• Don’t understand the risks of playing around water.
• Are top heavy, making it easier for them to fall into the water.
• Don’t have reliable swimming skills.

Children 5 to 9 years old:

• Often overestimate their skills.
• May underestimate the depth of the water or strength of the water’s current.
• Are more likely to act on a dare from a friend before thinking about the risk.

What Can You Do?

Always Be Within Arm’s Reach

• Supervision is the key to preventing backyard drowning.
• Always be within arms’ reach of young children when they’re playing in or around water.
• Even when parents are within arms’ reach, children can fall into the water, so follow these additional safety recommendations.

• CPR/First Aid/Water Safety: Safe Kids Canada recommends that people who supervise children in or around water should:

• Know how to swim.
• Be trained in water safety.
• Be trained in CPR and First Aid.

• Lifejackets: Safe Kids Canada recommends that young children and children who don’t know how to swim wear a lifejacket when they’re playing in and around water.
• Swimming Lessons:

• The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends swimming lessons for children four years of age and older.
• Children less than four years of age don’t have the reliable swimming skills.

• Water activities and swimming programs for these children should focus on building confidence and educating parents about water safety.

Install Four-Sided Pool Fencing

• Research has shown that using four-sided pool fencing can prevent 7 out of 10 pool drownings in children under the age of five years old.
• Three-sided fencing encloses the pool but uses the house as the fourth side.
• Four-sided fencing recommendations for in-ground, above-ground, and larger inflatable pools include the following:
  • The fence must go all the way around the pool.
  • The fence must be at least four feet high.
  • The fence must have a self-closing and self-latching gate.
  • The gate and fence should be designed to prevent climbing.

Deal With Other Sources of Water

• Empty “kiddie” pools when not in use.
• Install a fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate around ponds, fountains, and hot tubs.
• Remove water from ditches, install a fence around ditches or better yet, fill in ditches.

For More information contact the Health Intake Nurse.

• Windsor-Essex County local calls: 519-258-2146 ext. 1350
• Long distance calls: 1-800-265-5822 ext. 1350

References:
Safe Kids Canada. (2010). Drowning prevention. Retrieved April 3rd, 2012, from http://www.safekidscanada.ca/Professionals/Safety-Information/Drowning-Prevention/Index.aspx

Safe Kids Canada. (2010). Pool safety. Retrieved April 3rd, 2012, from
http://www.safekidscanada.ca/Professionals/Safety-Information/Drowning-Prevention/Pool-Safety/Pool-Safety.aspx