Well being Division Reminds Residents
to Shield Swimmers this Summer season
DUPAGE COUNTY— Because the Memorial Day weekend approaches and the summer time swimming season begins, DuPage County Well being Division (DCHD) reminds residents to remain vigilant and Pool Safely by working towards easy water security steps to maintain youngsters secure when they’re in or across the water this season.
DuPage County Well being Division’s Shield Swimmers 10M (PS10M) Group Consciousness Initiative works to stop baby drowning and suction drain entrapment by neighborhood awareness-raising actions {and professional} trainings.
Drowning continues to be a number one reason behind unintentional dying for youngsters ages 1-14. Kids beneath the age of 5 usually tend to drown in yard swimming pools, whereas youngsters over the age of six usually tend to drown in open water. Final yr in Illinois, deadly drownings involving youngsters occurred in yard swimming pools, retention ponds, rivers, small lakes, and Lake Michigan. Drowning can occur anytime, together with when youngsters are usually not anticipated to be close to water, comparable to once they achieve unsupervised entry to swimming pools.
In keeping with the State of Illinois, in 2021 – “18 Illinois youngsters misplaced their lives to unintentional drowning in swimming pools, bathtubs, lakes and ponds, creeks and rivers, and a sizzling tub. Eight of the kids who drowned in swimming pools have been age 5 and youthful.”
Swimming swimming pools are a good way to spend time collectively for household enjoyable. To maintain everybody secure in and across the water, mother and father and caregivers can observe PS10M’s easy steps:
- By no means depart a baby unattended in or close to water. Designate a centered grownup Water Watcher to oversee youngsters who’re swimming.
- Train youngsters learn how to swim. Toddler, baby, grownup, group, and tailored swim classes are supplied at swimming pools all through our area.
- Make sure that any pool or spa/sizzling tub that you just use has drain covers that meet federal security requirements. If you happen to’re undecided, ask the swimming pool proprietor or facility supervisor.
- Keep away from entrapment by instructing youngsters to steer clear of pool drains and pipes. Hold lengthy hair, bathing swimsuit straps, and drawstrings away from drains.
- Set up correct limitations, covers, and alarms on and round your pool space.
- Discover ways to carry out CPR on youngsters and adults.
Earlier than the lengthy weekend, make a water security plan and take the Pool Safely Pledge to guard youngsters in your loved ones and your neighborhood. Collectively, we are able to forestall baby drownings all yr lengthy. For extra info, go to https://www.dupagehealth.org/231/Pool-Safely.
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