After Child's Drowning, Local Police Have Some Advice for Local Families

Last week, a 7-year-old child drowned in a backyard pool of a local home. In light of that tragedy, the Fairfield Police Department wants to stress the importance of water safety as summer approaches. Here's their advice. Please add your own in the comments: 

• Have a first aid kit readily available and keep a phone nearby to use in case of emergencies. 
• Keep small children within arm’s reach at all times. 
• Designate someone to be responsible for watching the children in and around the pool. 
• The designated “pool watcher” should not be distracted by outside conversation and should be able to reach someone in distress quickly 
• If you have to leave the pool area, for any reason, make sure to take children with you. 
• Be sure to keep all toys and floatation devices away from the pool when not in use. Young children can be attracted to the toys near the water’s edge. 
• If you have a pool at home make sure that it is totally enclosed by a fence. The fence should have a self-closing and self-latching gate and be at least 4 feet tall. If the pool is not fully enclosed be sure to install child safety locks on all doors leading to the backyard and consider installing a door alarm to notify you when the door is opened. 
• Make sure that all spas have a cover that latches and that the latches are in good working order. 
• Empty all buckets, pails and bathtubs immediately after use. Store wading pools upside down so that they cannot collect water. 
• Learn CPR 
• NEVER SWIM ALONE – even experienced swimmers can experience medical emergencies while in the water 
• Please remember that even with swim lessons no child is “drown proof.” 

More information can be found through various websites including The American Red Cross (www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/water-safety) and Pool Safely (www.poolsafely.gov).