Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz promotes pool safety at YMCA

On June 6, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz joined local representatives from federal and local agencies to discuss the importance of keeping an eye on children at the pool, and the safety measures that can be taken to make a pool safe for children.

The drowning prevention press conference took place at the Sheinberg Family YMCA of Weston and included a number of high-profile speakers including YMCA of Broward President and CEO Sheryl Woods who said, “we hope parents and caregivers will take heed of these very important tips and suggestions. The YMCA’s extensive swim and drown prevention programs and classes prove how committed we are to making sure every child is safe and protected.”

Some highlighted facts at the conference included: drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4 in Florida; in 2009, 485 Florida residents drowned; there were an additional 388 hospitalizations for non-fatal drowning; children ages 1-4 made up 13 percent of the deaths and 43 percent of the hospitalizations; and in the first five months of 2011, there have been more than 100 drowning and near-drowning incidents across the country.

It then highlighted three layers of prevention that can be taken to keep children safe from water tragedy:

1. Adult supervision: Never – even for a moment – leave small children alone or in the care of another young child while in bathtubs, pools, spas, wading pools, near irrigation ditches or in standing water.

2. Barriers and Alarms: Install a four-sided fence that is at least 4-feet-high around pools. The fence should be hard to climb (not chain-link) and have a self-latching, self-closing gate. All gates and doors leading to the pool must be locked. Door alarms, pool alarms and rigid pool covers provide additional layers of protection, but do not replace the need for a fence.

3. Water Safety Instruction: Children should be enrolled in swim lessons and provided with water safety education. Parents, caregivers and pool owners should learn CPR.

For more information about the YMCA of Broward County, call 954-334-9622 or visithttp://www.ymcabroward.org.