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Water Safety

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Water safety and drowning prevention should be practiced the entire year with special emphasis during the summer. You and your child can prevent drownings by learning the ABC's of water safety:

 

A = Adult Supervision
• Assign an adult “water watcher” who can swim to specifically watch the water.
• Designate an adult to supervise the children in and around the pool/spa area especially during social gatherings.
• Never leave children in or around a pool unattended – not even for one second.
• Take children out of and away from the swimming pool/spa area for any distractions such as a telephone call or to use a restroom.
• Do not rely on flotation devices. They are not a substitute for adult supervision.
• Post the pool address and an emergency number.

B = Barriers
 • Install and maintain proper fencing around the pool to isolate your swimming area from the home and play area.
• Use multiple layers of protection on safety covers, gate alarms, door alarms and motion-detection devices. Inspect them monthly.
• Make sure all gates are self-closing, self-latching and open outward away from the pool.
• Take away all objects that allow a child to climb up to reach the gate latch or climb over the fence.

C = Classes
• Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid and rescue techniques.
• Learn swim skills in classes offered by the City of Burbank Parks and Recreation Department.
• Keep rescue equipment such as a shepherd’s hook, life-saving ring and CPR sign mounted by the pool to instruct others.
• Know and understand the proper behavior in and around water. Teach children the same behaviors.


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What To Do If A Child Falls Into A Pool

• Yell for help and check the scene to make sure that you can safely help the child.
• Get the child out of the pool and onto the pool deck.
• Check for consciousness by tapping and shouting, “Are you okay?”
• If someone is with you, have them call 9-1-1. Determine if the child is breathing: tilt the head back, if you do not hear or feel breathing or see the chest rising, give two rescue breaths then check for a pulse.
• Begin CPR immediately and continue until emergency help arrives.
• If you are alone and the child is not breathing and/or does not have a pulse, start CPR immediately. After one minute, call 9-1-1. Return to the child and continue CPR until help arrives.

Useful Links
Pool Safely
CA Department of Public Health
Safe Kids USA