Water Fun in the Sun

It started with such promise: unroll on flat ground, put in water, and Voila! instant backyard pool with hours of endless lounging and splashing fun. That was last summer’s dream. The reality was quite different. The pool never quite held its water, the pool top kept flying off and the ladder barely fit over the pool’s sides. "Lasted long it did not", Yoda would say of our pool.

True backyard pools and whirlpool spas now have competition with these smaller, "temporary" pools as well as a variety of other backyard water toys: super soakers, sprinklers of all shapes and sizes, and slip n' slides. And why not? Summer adventures at home are often the best kind to have. But buyers beware! Most of these toys are great fun but are not only expensive but dangerous. Injuries from these recreational toys span the spectrum from minor cuts and bruises to significant broken arms, necks and concussions.

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports, 250 deaths occur each year in children under 5 in swimming pools and more then 2000 children are treated each year in emergency rooms for near-drowning accidents including entrapment injuries from suction drains in residential pools and spas.

But pools are not the only source of injuries in backyards. One of the most dangerous backyard water toys to adults and teenagers are the backyard waterslides such as WHAM-O's slip 'n slide. These slides are intended for children and the weight and height of teenagers and adults has produced serious injury to the neck and spinal cord. This highlights not only the danger of some of these seemingly innocent toys but the need to read the cautions on the boxes carefully and be sure all children follow the safety instructions.

Here are some safety suggestions to help keep your family safe while enjoying some much needed water fun this summer:

1. Direct adult supervision is needed for everything involving water. We are our children’s first line of defense!
2. Swim lessons are one of the best ways to not only teach children basic water safety but help them avoid dangerous situations.
3. Even good swimmers can drown – never allow children to swim alone, even in small, "wadding" pools. A buddy system is a great line of defense for older children and teenagers.
4. If a child is missing, check the pool or spa first.
5. Safety equipment and a phone should be in arms reach for pools of any size and whirlpool spas.
6. Consider a pool alarm that sounds in the house to alert you if your pool or whirlpool is entered when no adult is outside.
7. All pools need a barrier – a fence for large pools and a tarp for small pools. For all above ground pools, remove the ladder when not in use to make access to the pool more difficult.
8. Make sure electric filters and pumps are turned off when children are swimming and near the pool or whirlpool to avoid electrocution.
9. Consider CPR training if you have a pool or are planning to get one. Most communities offer the course for a nominal fee or free of charge.
10. Know your child's swimming ability and have the proper US Coast Guard Approved flotation devices for your youngest swimmers but remember that these flotation devices do not help your child swim so children can still drown while using these devices if they do not know how to swim and an adult is not near by.
11. Sprinkles are great fun and a wonderful way to stay cool but do produce a very slick ground putting children at risk for slipping and injuring themselves. Make sure the ground around the sprinkler is as free as possible for obvious rocks and twigs. Wearing boat shoes will also help create better traction and protect your child's feet from injury.
12. If you decide to set up a backyard water slide, make sure everyone in the family is clear on how to properly use the slide. The location of these toys is paramount to safety – especially for avoiding head injury. Teenagers and adults should never use these slides – the risk of permanent spinal cord injury is just too great.

More information and safety tips on these topics and other summer recreational activities can be found at the CPSC Web site, www.cpsc.gov, the American Red Cross web site, www.redcross.org, and the American Academy of Pediatrics web site, www.aap.org. The CPSC web site also has the latest information on product recalls.

Here’s to many days of safe water fun for you and your family!

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