Before Taking a Dive, Take the Pool Safely Pledge from CPSC for Water Safety

Helping to keep families safe prepared for another swim season after its successful launch last summer, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is once again encouraging adults and kids to commit to staying safe while swimming by taking the Pool Safely Pledge. Take a moment to join more than 11,000 adults and children that have already taken the pledge to "Pool Safely".

Before Taking a Dive, Take the Pool Safely Pledge from CPSC for Water Safety

We all know that for many of us, Memorial Day weekend is symbolic of the traditional beginning of the summer swim season. Each summer increased awareness of the importance of water safety is shared publicly. The Pool Safely campaign is again focusing on reaching those populations that are most at risk of drowning. 

Here are some terrifying statistics-

*Children between the ages of 1 and 3 represent 64% of reported non-fatal drownings (2012-2014) and 65% of fatal drownings (2010-2012), according to CPSC. 

*African American children between the ages of 5 and 19 are 5.5 times more likely to drown in pools than white children of the same ages, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

*The disparity in swimming ability is greatest from 11-12 years of age; at these ages, African-American children drown in pools at 10 times the rate of white children, according to the CDC. 

It is urgent that we all are actively vigilant in taking steps to pool safely for the welfare of ourselves, our families and our communities. Remember these simple steps to keep children safer in and around the water:

1. Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa and always watch your children closely around all bodies of water.
Designate a Water Watcher to supervise children in the pool or spa. This person should not be reading, texting, using a smart phone or be otherwise distracted.

2. Learn how to swim, and teach your child how to swim.

3. Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults.

4. Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments.

5. Ensure any pool and spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal safety standards, and if you do not know, ask your pool service provider about safe drain covers.

Take the pledge to Pool Safely and get more important water safety information today at Pool Safely.