Jan 17, 2008 7:45 pm US/Eastern
Pool Safety Tips To Protect Your Little Ones
PALMETTO BAY, Fla. (CBS4) ―
Wednesday's drowning of two children in Broward is a wake-up call for parents throughout South Florida.
We found an alarming trend in the state. The number of children drowning under the age of five is increasing every year. That's why officials say parents must take action now.
In just an instant, two innocent lives were lost Wednesday. Two girls, ages four and three, were found face down in the back yard pool of a Sunrise home.
This happened while both a mother and aunt were inside. On the same day, a two-year-old wandered away from his mother's sight, but fortunately he was discovered in the pool by his sister and pulled out in time.
However in both cases adults were supposed to be supervising them and in both cases the pools did not have a pool fence.
"The more barriers that we put in place, we lessen the likelihood for these horrific tragedies to take place," said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lieutenant Eddie Ballester.
State law says all new pools must have one of four protection devices. The pool must be isolated by an enclosure; it must have a pool cover or some sort of exit alarm on the door that leads to the pool or all doors that access the pool must be self-closing or self-locking.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lieutenant Eddie Ballester says home owners who under the law do not have to have a pool fence, should invest in one especially if they have family or friends with small children.
"Often these kids drown in neighbor's pools or other pools where they are going to visit," he said.
A recent Nova Southeastern University study shows that between 2002 and 2004, Broward county led the state in toddlers drowning with 30 deaths. In Miami-Dade county, 20 children drowned.
Click Here To Read About Pool Safety Tips And Florida's Pool Safety Law
With frightening statistics like these, one assuming resource instructor says, it should remind parents that it's never too early to teach your child to survive in the water.
"We begin at six months by teaching the children how to rotate from facedown to face up in the water from such that they can get on their backs, get a breath, relax, float and be safe. And wait for an adult to come get them," said Infant Swimming Resource instructor Kate Eckert.
Experts remind parents adult supervision is vital. A pool fence and swimming lessons for your child is necessary in order to keep them alive.
For additional information on pool safety, click on
infantswim.com, or if you are looking for low cost swim lessons call Neighbors 4 Neighbors.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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