July 8, 2004

Local tragedies remind us that drowning prevention essential during summer months

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

In the aftermath of three tragic summer drownings that took place near Almaden and South San Jose, local parents and babysitters are encouraged to increase their vigilance when watching young children in pools and hot tubs.

“Especially near water, you can never let [your children] out of your sight,” said San Jose Fire Capt. Allison Cabral. Cabral continued, warning that “floaties” and “water wings” are no substitutes for safety jackets. “During the summertime with family activities and parties, everybody has to be the safety officer to make sure the kids are safe.”

The message rings clear after San Jose Police were called to the sites of three separate incidents recently.

On June 29, 5-year-old Blossom Valley resident Justin Guioguiro wandered into a neighbor’s backyard, subsequently falling into the unattended pool and drowning. Jia Blackwell, of the East Bay, also drowned later in the week, eluding the protective gate her parents had installed to prevent the very incident that took her life.

Finally, 4-year-old Mary Ureno died before a friend found her submerged at the bottom of a relative’s pool last week in South San Jose. Ureno was visiting from Anaheim and had apparently been hindered by the restrictive, inflatable “floaties” affixed to her arms at the time of death.

Unfortunately drownings are all too common this, and any, time of year. According to CNN.com, approximately 1,500 children under 20 drown annually. Of those, 78 percent of infant drownings occur at home, primarily in the bathtub.

“Parents ought to be vigilant in what they’re doing,” said Cabral. “Enroll others to help too. If you’re having a party make sure somebody is watching the kids at all times. Make sure they’re safe at all times. Never leave children alone in the water.”

Tips to keep kids safe near water

Risk factors
The majority of children who drown in swimming pools were last seen in the home, had been out of sight for less than five minutes, and were in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning.

In-ground swimming pools without complete four-sided isolation fencing are 60 percent more likely to be involved in drownings than those with four-sided isolation fencing.

Drownings and near-drownings tend to occur on the weekend (40 percent) and between the months of May and August (62 percent).

Older children are more likely to drown in open water sites, such as lakes, rivers and oceans.
Death rates from drowning are higher in the country than in cities and suburbs, in part due to decreased access to emergency medical care.

Eliminate potential hazards
Empty all buckets, containers and wading pools immediately after use. Store them upside-down and out of children’s reach.

Keep toilet lids shut and use toilet locks.
Pay attention to open water. Be aware of undercurrents and changing waves and undertows when at the ocean or lake.

Do not let children dive into water unless the child has learned proper diving techniques, an adult is present and the depth of the water is greater than 9 feet.
Children with marginal mobility should not be left unattended in a tub or other body of water regardless of age or presumed ability.

Pool Drains
The National SAFE KIDS Campaign recommends that parents always supervise children around water and install fencing that completely surrounds all pools, spas, whirlpools and hot tubs. Teach children never to go near a pool drain with or without a cover, and to pin up long hair when in water.

Install multiple drains in all pools, spas, whirlpools and hot tubs. This minimizes the suction of any one drain, reducing risk of death or injury.

Regularly check to make sure drain covers are secure and have no cracks. Replace flat drain covers with dome-shaped ones.

Know where the manual cut-off switch for the pump is in case of emergency. Consider installing an approved “safety vacuum release system” (SVRS), a tool that quickly and automatically turns off the pump (and stops the suction) when something is trapped in or blocks the drain.

Parents may also want to check to be sure these steps are taken at community pools, whirlpools, spas and hot tubs.

Plan ahead
Children should learn to swim. Enroll them in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors when they are ready, usually after age 4. If you don’t know how to swim, enroll with your kids!

Adults and kids over age 13 should learn infant and child CPR.

Know which of your child’s friends and neighbors have pools. Make sure your child will be supervised by an adult while visiting.

Install four-sided isolation fencing at least 5 feet high, equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates, around home swimming pools.

Keep rescue equipment, a telephone and emergency numbers by the pool.

Pool alarms and pool covers can offer an extra layer of protection. However, do not rely on them to keep your kids safe; they should be used in conjunction with fencing and constant supervision.

Teach safety
Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal safety device around oceans, rivers, lakes or when participating in water sports.

Always swim with a buddy. Swimming alone is very dangerous.

Know how to use rescue equipment and where emergency phone numbers are located.

For more information regarding the preservation of safety in recreation, visit www.safekids.org or call the U.S. Coast Guard, Office of Recreational Boating Safety at (202) 267-1077 or www.uscg.mil.