1000 SW Jackson Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
(785) 296-1223
(785) 296-8649 (FAX)

Coordinator:
Jan Stegelman

Executive Committee:
Randall Bolin
NHTSA Region VII

Dennis Cooley, MD
Medical Advisor
American Academy of
Pediatrics, Kansas
Chapter

John Drees
Douglas County
SAFE KIDS Coalition

John Halbran
Kansas Safety Belt
Education Office

Jim Keating
Kansas State
Firefighters Association

Elena Nuss
Kansas State
Fire Marshal's Office

Cindy Samuelson
Kansas Hospital Association

Safe Kids Kansas Educates Public
on Hidden Hazards in Pools and Spas

Safe Pools for Safe Kids.

In celebration of National Safe Kids Week (May 6-13), Safe Kids Kansas will educate families at events held around the state about drowning prevention, including hazards in pools and spas. Kansas children age 0-4 are at the greatest risk of drowning. Sixty-five percent of drowning deaths in Kansas children age 0-14 occur in the 0-4 age group. This group also has the highest percent of hospitalizations for near drowning. During the summer months, near drowning cases nearly double for Kansas children in the 0-4 age group.

Charisse Nurnberg of Assaria, Kansas, knows how quickly a fun time can turn into tragedy. In August, 2002, her precious 3-year-old son, Matt, drowned in a soft-sided pool in their backyard. "We didn't realize how quickly and quietly a child can drown," said Nurnberg. "Our door was inadvertently left unlocked and Matt was able to reach our pool. I want to make sure that other families do not have to go through such pain. Families with pools or spas should consider installing multiple safety features, such as door alarms, fencing, drain covers, and pool alarms."

A research study recently released by Safe Kids Worldwide found that 66 percent of parents are not at all aware or are only somewhat familiar with the risk of a child becoming entrapped or entangled in the drain of a pool or spa. Entrapment occurs when part of a child's body becomes attached to a drain because of the powerful suction of a pool or spa's filtration system. It also can occur when a child's hair or swimsuit gets tangled in the drain or on an underwater object, such as a ladder.

"A child is no match for the powerful suction of a drain," said Jan Stegelman, Safe Kids Kansas coordinator. "With the right equipment and knowledge children can easily be protected from this risk. Parents should warn their children to stay away from drains and install safety devices if they own a pool or spa."

Parents and children will have the opportunity to learn aobut water safety at Safe Kids Week events held in Abilene, Dodge City, Junction City, Lansing, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Marion, Meade, Pottawatomie County, and Valley Falls. In addition, Safe Kids Kansas co-sponsors Kansas Kids Fitness and Safety Day which reaches 17,000 third grade students, parents, and teachers at 41 sites across the state.

The new national research shows only one third (34 percent) of parents with children aged 14 or under in the household recognize that drowning is one of the top two causes of accidental death among children, and that 66 percent are not at all or only somewhat familiar with the threat of drain entrapment and entanglement. Both of these findings are alarming because research reveals that pool and spa ownership is becoming more popular. One out of two parents (49 percent) report that they have a pool or spa at home.

Safe Kids Kansas suggests the following pool and spa safety tips:

• Never take your eyes off of children in the pool.
• If you're in a group, appoint a designated adult Water Watcher who stays right by the pool at all times actively supervising children, and does not participate in other activities or conversations.
• While supervising, stay alert and avoid distractions like reading, the telephone, eating, taking care of another child.
• If you have a pool, install 5-foot fencing on all sides with self-closing and self-latching gates.
• For large inflatable pools, a mesh or removable fence may be an option.
• When a hot tub is not in use, secure it with a locked cover.
• Consider alarms for the pool/hot tub, and on all doors and windows with access to the pool or hot tub.
• Install anti-entrapment drain covers and consider a vacuum relief system. For new pools or hot tubs, install dual drains.
• Learn infant and child CPR.
• Teach children to swim after age 4.
• Teach children how to tread water, float, and get out of the pool.
• Don't rely on water wings or other inflatable toys. If your child can't swim, stay within an arm's reach.
• Teach children to stay away from pool and hot tub drains and tie back long hair to guard against entanglement and entrapment.
• Empty all wading pools immediately after use and store inside your home or upside down to avoid rainwater fill

Through public awareness activities like National Safe Kids Week, Safe Kids Kansas seeks to educate parents and caregivers about potential risks to children and adults' role in preventing injuries. National Safe Kids Week has been held annually for 13 years and this year's theme is Safe Pools for Safe Kids.

For more information on pool safety or for a copy of the research report, visit www.usa.safekids.org.

Safe Kids Kansas, Inc. is a nonprofit Coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing accidental injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Clay, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ellis, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Marion, Meade, Mitchell, Montgomery, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Republic, Rice, Riley, Saline, Smith, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Wilson and Woodson Counties, as well as the cities of Chanute, Emporia, Leavenworth, Norton, Pittsburg, the Wichita Area and the Metro Kansas City Area. Safe Kids Kansas a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury.

www.kansassafekids.org