CPSC Re-Issues Pool Safety Guidelines in Time for Summer

May 30, 1996
Release # 96-134

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For Immediate Release;
Contact: Hannah Simone
(301) 504-0580 Ext.1185

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the swimming season begins, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is re-issuing its pool barrier guidelines to help prevent about 300 drownings of children each year in residential swimming pools.

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in the homes of children under age 5 in states such as California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida. In addition, each year more than 2,000 young children are treated in hospital emergency rooms nationwide for submersion injuries, such as brain damage.

"Supervision is key to preventing a child from drowning in what is a silent death that happens very quickly," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "A child can drown in the time it takes to answer the telephone. Most of the young victims are missing from sight for less than just five minutes."

Barriers and pool covers can reduce the risk of child drownings. CPSC recommends that parents install the following safety devices to prevent access and give parents time to locate a child before tragedy strikes:

• A fence or barrier at least 4 feet high with no footholds or handholds should surround the entire pool.
  
  
• If a wall of the house serves as a side of the barrier, the house doors should be protected with alarms.
  
  
• In addition to the barriers, a power safety cover should protect the pool when it is not in use.
  
  

"The three barriers that CPSC recommends can buy you time and may save your child's life," Brown said.

In addition to installing safety devices, parents can take other steps to help prevent drownings. CPSC recommends that parents and other caregivers should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If a child is missing, check the pool first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.

CPSC offers consumers two free publications to help prevent child drownings: "Safety Barrier Guidelines for Pools" (CPSC362), and "How To Plan For the Unexpected" (CPSC359). Consumers can obtain copies of the publications by sending their names and addresses to "Pool Safety," U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from the unreasonable risk of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury and for information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To order a press release through fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information via Internet gopher services at cpsc.gov or report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov.