Did you know almost 50,000 persons will require hospital emergency room treatment this year in accidents associated with some of the nation's four million swimming pools.
Residential in-ground pools now number about one million and home above-ground pools are estimated at three million, according to the National Swimming Pool Institute. The Institute also states there are about 340,300 in-ground pools in hotels, motels, apartments, parks and public facilities, schools, clubs and camps.
Commission injury statistics indicate that 39,500 persons, annually will seek hospital emergency room care for injuries involving below-ground pools; about 10,000 will need treatment for injuries related to above-ground pools. Seventy-five per cent of the injured will involve persons 19 and under, and almost twice as many boys as girls will be hurt.
The National Safety Council reports that 600 children and adults drown annually in swimming pools, 330 in home pools.
Swimming alone or without adult supervision leads to many drownings. Each year, headlines note the deaths of infants and children who tumble into pools and drown because a gate was left open or they otherwise were able to gain access to a pool when no one was around to save them.
Many severe injuries result from falling on slippery walkways and decks and falling from diving boards and ladders. Diving and jumping into shallow water also are major causes of serious injuries.
Although many pool accidents are related to running and roughhousing, numerous injuries also are attributed to the pool, its accessories and general environment.
Pool Guard recommends a number of precautionary measures consumers can take to reduce home pool hazards.
Such as:
The steps of the pool ladder should be at least three inches wide, and the ladder should have handrails on both sides small enough for a child to grasp. There should be a ladder at both ends of the pool.
Electrical equipment should be installed by a licensed electrician in accordance with local safety codes. Ground-fault circuit interrupters are now recommended for pool area installations. Faulty electrical installations could cause serious or fatal electric shock.
Check with a reputable pool contractor to be sure the depth is sufficient for a diving board or slide. Always put a slide in a deep area of the pool-- never in shallow water.
There should be a fence at least four feet high around all sides of the pool (please check your local code requirements; as state/county laws may vary) with a locked gate to keep children out when there is no supervision and the fence should be constructed so it is difficult to climb. Lawn furniture, trees and shrubs should not be close enough to provide an easy boost over the fence. Avoid using a side of the house as part of the fence; toddlers have wandered out through an open patio door or window and drowned.
Pool Safety is very important! The snow is melting, temperatures are warming around the world and the sun is starting to shine! Keep pool safety in mind!
About Pool Guard Manufacturing, Inc.
Based in Tampa Bay, Florida, Pool Guard is the worldwide leader in pool safety fences, pool nets and pool covers since 1997. The manufacturing company supports a worldwide dealer network trained specifically in the skills needed for safe and secure pool fence installations. Pool Guard can be contacted at (888) 876-4005 or by visiting their web site at http://www.poolsafetyfences.com/
