Swimming pools are supposed to be a great way for families to escape the heat, exercise or have fun together. Unfortunately, sometimes those swimming pools become a source of tragedy. In the United States, about 10 people die from drowning every day. Of these deaths, two include children under the age of 14.
Several factors increase the odds of someone having a swimming pool accident that results in drowning, explains the CDC.
Lack of supervision
If there is water, children need constant supervision. Unlike what you may see on TV, drowning is rarely loud. It happens quietly and quickly. While swimming pools are common places for swimming accidents, children and adults can drown in bathtubs, buckets or any place where they have access to water. Most children who drown will be in a home swimming pool, as opposed to a natural water setting.
Lack of fencing
When someone owns a swimming pool, he or she has a responsibility to protect young children from accessing the pool. Children do not always understand the dangers of swimming unattended. They may play around the pool or attempt to jump into the water alone. An isolation fence that separates the pool from the yard can decrease a child’s risk by over 80%.
Lack of swimming ability
If a child does not know how to swim, he or she is more likely to drown, even in shallow water. Children between the ages of one and four, who take formal swimming lessons, are less likely to drown in a pool. Many adults and children alike report that they do not know how to swim.