Hidden Hazards In Pools And Hot Tubs (NAPSA)—As more kids enjoy the warm weather with a dip in the pool, it’s important for parents to be on guard against one of the leading causes of accidental death in children: drowning. Fortunately, there are a numberof ways parents can keep their kids safe—and newlegislation may help. The legislation will encourage states to require protection—suchas fencing and devices that reduce drain suction—aroundpools and hot tubs. Every year there are 2,400 poolrelated drownings from various causes among kids aged 1 to 14. Manyparents do notrealize that one of the most alarming dangers to children in pools and hot tubs is drain entrapment, which occurs when a child’s body or hair gets attached to an underwater drain in a poolor hot tub. Drowningis the biggest accidental-injury related cause of death among children 1 to 4 in the U.S. It is the second biggest killer of children ages 1 to 14. In 2002 alone, 838 children died as a result of accidental drowning—enough children to fill a small primary school. Safe Kids Worldwide, with help from Johnson & Johnson, works to teach families how to prevent drain entrapment. They offer these tips: Warn children about the dangers of drain entrapment and teach them to stay away from the drain. * Install equipment to prevent entrapment if you own a poolor hot tub. Protective measures include anti-entrapmentdrain covers, mul- Anti-entrapment drain covers can help protect children from accidental drowning caused by drain suctionin pools and hot tubs. tiple drains in new construction and a device to automatically release the suction and shut down the pump, should entrapmentoccur. Actively supervise children around water and have a phone nearby to call for help in an emergency. Ensure your pool has foursided fencing. It is estimated that proper installation and use of foursided fencing could prevent 50 to 90 percent of all childhood residential swimming pool drowningsor near drownings. Also use a selfclosing, self-latching gate to prevent a child from wandering into the pool area unsupervised. Hot tubs should be covered and locked whennotin use. Install a door alarm, a window alarm or both to alert you if a child wanders into the pool area unsupervised. For more information, visit www.usa.safekids.org or call (202) 662-0600.
