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"The statistics, as always, remain unsettling. More than 375 children under five years old drown in pools each year nationwide - most in residential pools. Another 4,200 children under age five are treated each year in hospital emergency rooms for submersion and near drowning accidents in backyard pools. Drowning ranks as the leading cause of death of young children in several sunbelt states." Quotes, the Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - "There is nothing worse than the death of a child." She, Ann Brown, also stated "CPSC urges pool owners to take the necessary precautions to prevent more of these drownings. The keys to preventing these tragedies are placing barriers around your pool, closely supervising your child and being prepared in case of an emergency."
Here is another statistic pulled from an article of a major published journal:
"The US Centers for Disease Control tracks statistics on causes of death. Between the years of 1990 and 1997 more than 16,000 people in the United States drown in swimming pools - an average of six people per day. Sadly, many of these deaths occurred in aquatic facilities that were staffed with lifeguards. News articles pulled from across the country reflect the sad realities of this statistic."
These quotes & the 1st paragraph were taken right from the pages of a current publication which is widely read among pool & spa professionals. We here at The Pool & Spa Medic, take this very seriously. It is always on my mind, and I try to instill it into the personnel that become part of the Pool & Spa Medic team. Just 1 preventable accident that results in the death of a child, or anyone for that matter, is too many accidents. The amount of accidents that do occur is a tragedy. That is why we will do what we can to prevent any more of this type of tragic loss within our industry. We will attempt to the best of our ability to educate our customers and any future customers. We also will go beyond our customer base & try to educate any owner, user, or renter of any type of swimming pool, hot tub, spa, be it public or private, to ensure the safety of all who use them! That is the Main reason for this page of our website! If through this information we were able to educate just 1 family & the practices were put into effect, and a life was saved, then glory be to God that the above statistics have been lessened. Then the efforts & time put into the making of this site was well worth it!!!!
Continuing on, paraphrasing a different quote from a CEO of a major Auto Pool Cover manufacturer, she stated that the issue of danger is avoided when people shop & install pools. Both the buyer & installer seem to avoid the issue because it is too sensitive. She also stated that several reasons exist as to why parenal supervision is not pushed or actively professed but treaded on lightly by the idustry as a whole. One of them is, and I quote: " How do you say to a parent whose child has drowned or experienced a near miss accident that they weren't watching their child properly?" Let us (the professionals in this industry) not be intimidated by the possible loss of a sale or the "Too sensitive issue". We are talking about the possible loss of life here. We (industry professionals and consumers alike) need to read as much as possible about "Safety" . Frequent the proper websites, request proper flyers, brochures or pamphlets that will instruct us and educate us on how to make our pools, hot tubs & such, a safer environment. Why wait until a life is lost or close call to take preventative measures.
"Don't" Wait, but do something about it now! We should not ignore the problem - but prevent it!
Any of the links in the following paragraphs are direct to the manufacturer of the product discussed or to a different dealer that offers it.
Installation of Pool Alarms are a good 1st step, the CPSC recognized this need and took some actions on the need to set standards for this type of safety product. Pool alarms will ring poolside and an optional remote can be installed inside the home. If the the alarm is triggered it will sound & alert of a possible accident occuring. Different syles of alarms are available. The main objective of the CPSC in setting these standards is for a product that will improve personal safety and reduce injuries or death. The products should provide for rapid and automatic detection and sound an alert in cases of unintentional, unsupervised or accidental intrusion into the water of swimming pools or spas. Note: This is not a replacement for adult supervision, gates, barriers, or locks!
Several Manufacturers provide such a product: Safety Turtle is one that "Monitors the child, not the Pool". This type of alarm, has the child or children wear a special wristband that has a locking feature (child can't remove) & it is activated the moment the wristband get wet. Great for pools, spas, boating, near a lake or river, anywhere there maybe a danger of a water related accident. Another manufacturer provides a perimeter type of safety alarm. Caretaker Systems Inc. has the Prevent - Pool Alarm. It produces a barrier of Laser light. Utilizing a unit which will creat the laser beam & reflect it via deflectors placed at any position which you can create "around" the pool or spa or anything that you would want to be alerted to if your child had crossed into. The pool alarm from Poolguard is a more basic style alarm with a very easy installation. Just place it in your pool adjust the sensitivity (a little difficult at first to get your level of sensitivity, but once adjusted, a very good alarm) and your pool is now watched over & your child is protected from accidental intrusion into the water. They also make gate alarms & alarms for above ground pools. An alarm system which received a mention of "one of the best" by the CPSC is the SOS by All Weather. It floats in the water & is constantly monitoring the pool for any disturbance. It sounds an 85 decibal alarm to alert of the intrusion.
In my opinion a security system to prevent accidental drownings is a necessity & should not be discounted due to cost of such a system. There are many units available to choose from and most Pool & Spa Professionals will carry them or offer them to you the pool & spa user. The Pool & Spa Medic can supply you with most of the products mentioned above & herein. If not, I will refer you to someone who can! Making the sale of such a system is not as important (although if I can get it, or supply it, I would like to be your service provider) as knowing that through the safety information supplied through my website, I was able to assist a family in preventing a tragedy. An alarm that is free from false alerts is definetely a plus in an alarm system. Although nothing can really acomplish that to a tee, the Sentinel Link pool alarm comes close. It is a sub-surface unit that will alert you if there is a disturbance below the waters surface. Which means that wind, small waves or ripples, leaves or floating toys will not set it off. A very good product at a very good price. A unit that we offer with good reviews. It also got a mention from the CPSC as a top rate unit.
For the commercial environment: The worlds first computer aided drowning prevention system.
offers the latest in computer technology. This system aids personnel who watch over swimmers while using a swimming pool. If that swimmer is motionless for a short duration of time, alarms go off & a pager/beeper worn by personnel watching or lifeguards if you will, will be alerted to take immediate action. I don't see why this system can't be used residentially, if the monetary investment in such a system doesn't scare away potential purchasers.
In closing, remember that an alarm is not to be considered the ultimate answer to water safety nor the sole object in the prevention of water related accidents or drownings. The final responsibility lays with us, the parents. We need to instruct family members & ourselves on proper supervision, and poolside actions. Use of multiple items to prevent the tragic incidents that we hear about in the media should be at the forefront of our thoughts. Utilize locked gates, have barriers installed to keep children from accidently strolling poolside. If not installed inquire about them. Automatic Pool Covers are another safety oriented item to consider. Another option is the enclosure with lockable entrances. Whatever the option utilized, use them to manufacturers specifications.
The final goal is to "SAVE A LIFE"!
Thank you for reading this information. One more link, the people at Consumer Affairs have put together some guidelines as well. Please take some time to check it out! I would greatly appreciate any comments, requests, or if you just are looking for some answers to a question or if you have any concerns , please feel free to drop me a note at: psmhelps@gmail.com I will do my best to get you your answer. Once again, Thank you, from all of us here at "The Pool & Spa Medic"
