The school year is over and summer is in full swing, which means more children are splashing into swimming pools, whether in a backyard, at summer camp, or at recreation center pools.
Along with the fun, though, are the very real dangers of drowning and other pool-related injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more children one through four years old die from drowning than any other cause of death.
Even more alarming is the fact that the fatal-drowning rate of Black/African-American children is three times higher than white children due to institutional racism, myths and stereotypes, and an inherited fear of drowning.
The Cedars-Sinai Newsroom spoke with Amal Obaid-Schmid, MD, medical director of Trauma Services at Huntington Health, an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai, about how to keep the children in your care safe this summer.
What are the most important pool safety rules?
Any owner of a pool should first and foremost ensure that they have a fence at least four feet high around their pool.
If children or non-experienced swimmers will be in the pool, it’s very important to have adult supervision. I think asking another child to watch after their sibling, for example, is not adequate. You need a supervisor who’s an adult, who is not distracted with their cell phone, or a phone call inside the house, or a conversation with another adult, really taking that role very seriously. Not letting your eye off the child is huge because drowning can happen in an instant.
Have a variety of flotation devices in and around the pool, including a life jacket, but also floating noodles or a paddle board that a drowning person can grab onto to help them get out of the pool quickly.
Have a cell phone in the pool area so that you can call for help immediately. And adults involved in pool activities should learn basic CPR.
RELATED: Pool Safety Tips for Non-Swimmers
What is the basic CPR method?
Place the person on their back and gently lift their chin and tilt their head back.
Pinch their nose and place your mouth tightly over their mouth and administer two short breaths. Then start