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POOL SAFETY– by Dr. JJ Levenstein
Although care of illness, injuries, well care and developmental counseling are part of my day to day existence, prevention of illness and injuries are equipotent in the daily life of a pediatrician. I often feel like that little miniature angel poised on the shoulder of a perplexed Donald Duck - nagging a bit, to achieve the greater good...but that extra effort is always worth it, given the alternatives!
The month of May has come and gone, and yet many of you may not have realized it was "National Drowning Prevention Month." As our warm spring and summer months arrive every year, I brace myself for the inevitable news that yet another child or young adult has drowned in this community. Drowning is the second cause of unintentional/accidental child death in the United States -and the number one cause in California! OK, so I'll be a little nostalgic and dog paddle down memory lane and hopefully raise a little more awareness about what YOU can do to save a life
As a pediatrician and advocate for children and families, I want to make sure that you, or those close to you, are never close to being a statistic - the outcomes are irreversible, life changing, and yet, completely preventable with education, a little effort and some skill-building.
The State of California and safekids.org have published terrific public safety information about drowning, and steps we can all take to prevent this tragedy. It is so important, first of all, to dispel myths about how drowning occurs.
The following are 9 myths of drowning:
1. Is drowning really a problem?
A. Yes. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 1-4 in California. A residential pool is 14 times more likely to cause a death than an automobile accident.
2. Don't more children die in open water (oceans and lakes) than in pools?
A. No. 50% of deaths by drowning occur in residential pools.
3. Isn't it more important to have a locked gate to keep
neighbors out than to have a pool fence?
A. No. 65% of the children died in their own pools at home. 46% of the children were last seen safe inside the house just before the drowning. 72% had direct access to the pool once they were outside the house (i.e. no pool fence).
4. Isn't it just parental neglect that causes drowning?
A. No. According to the U.S. CPSC Drowning Study, conscientious parents who understand the need for supervision were almost always present on the premises.
5. Won't swimming lessons protect a child from drowning?
A. No. Swimming lessons do not prepare a child for a drowning or a near drowning situation. A young child may be able to learn to float, but may not be able to climb out of a pool. At any age, an unexpected panic may set in with an accidental fall or scare, and a "good swimmer" becomes vulnerable to drowning.
6. Isn't constant supervision enough to prevent drowning?
A. Although constant supervision is part of prevention, we recommended added "layers" of protection which include a well maintained non-climbable fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate, alarm systems, powered safety pool covers, and self-closing, self-latching doors with automatic sliding door closers (leading out to the pool area). A parent reading a magazine at poolside or peering out a kitchen window can lose up to 30 seconds of reaction time - that time necessary to drown.
7. Is there any proof that fences or safety barriers work? Can't a child climb over a fence?
A. In studies conducted in Australia and New Zealand, the findings suggest that adequate, four sided pool fencing (at least 5 feet high) reduced drownings by 80%. Studies in Arizona demonstrated a 50% reduction.
8. Won't fences detract from the aesthetics of pools?
A. There are several kinds of fences to choose from which meet safety requirements and there are also alternatives such as an approved safety cover. Families must always weigh the risk versus benefit of an aesthetic choice prevailing over a safe choice. The answer is obvious to me, and yet countless times I hear of grandparents, in particular, unwilling to give up their beautiful garden view in order to erect a safe pool fence for their grandchildren!
9. Do pool owners without young children need to install protective barriers?
A. 35% of residential drownings are not at the home of the victim but rather at the home of a friend or immediate family member. So the answer is, YES!
Now that I have dispelled those myths for you, how can you be sure that you provide a safe pool environment for your children, family members, visitors and friends?
- Never leave a child alone near water to answer the phone, the doorbell, go to the bathroom, attend to another child or attend to household chores, even for a few seconds.
- Keep a constant eye on young children playing in or near any body of water, wading pool, public pool, bathtub or lake. At large gatherings, designate an adult to watch children at play, and while in pool. Ideally there should be 1 adult per 2 young children, 1 adult per 3 older kids.
- Fence your pool on all four sides with a barrier that is at least 5 feet high. Move lawn chairs, tables and other potential climbing aids away from the fence to help keep children out.
- Any gate or door leading to the pool area should be self-closing and self-latching, opening outward, with the latch placed on the pool side out of reach.
- Install panic alarms on all house doors and windows leading to the pool area, automatic sliding door closers and automatic safety cover over the pool.
- Completely remove cover before children are allowed in pool. Drain off water that accumulates on top of the pool cover. A child can drown in as little as two inches of water.
- Keep reaching and throwing aids, such as poles and life preservers, on both sides of the pool.
- All non-swimmers should always wear approved personal flotation devices when they are near water (no floaties, but actual jackets with a tether between the child's legs)Swimming lessons do not insure safety. About 25% of all young drowning victims have had swimming lessons. A child who falls int water unexpectedly will panic and forget his swimming skills.
- It is crucial that you and all of your child's caretakers can swim and know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in an emergency. Immediate CPR could prevent death or massive brain damage.
- ALWAYS keep a working cell phone or land line near your pool.
- Cover pool and Jacuzzi drains with anti-vortex drain covers (about $5-$10 at your local pool supply store). The force of vacuum from a drain can entrap long hair, body parts, swi(from sitting on a drain). 75 children lose their lives each year by being trapped on drains and being unable to surface for air. This is a little known risk, and yet, again, entirely preventable with the use of these drain covers.
A Healthy Start to the New School Year
JJ Levenstein, M.D., FAAP
As summer winds down and parents shift their focus to the new school year, it’s important to add a health check to the top of your family’s back-to-school list. Whether your little one is starting school for the first time or adjusting from summer hours, making sure she gets a healthy start to the school year is paramount to her learning success. These practical tips will help make the school year switch healthier and happier for the entire family.
Gym class isn’t the only place for physical education. Medical check-ups can get lost in the shuffle of back-to-school errands, but they are vital to your child’s success. In fact, many schools and sports teams require children to get a physical before enrolling. A physical can help recognize and address potential problems before school starts. For example, a child can’t learn properly if he/she has trouble seeing the blackboard, hearing the teacher or focusing for long periods of time. Have your child’s doctor screen for vision and hearing as well as any issues that may impair the learning process, such as allergies, anemia, anxiety or sleep dysfunction. Also, review your insurance policy before your child’s check-up, as some insurers only cover one annual exam.
Think beyond the cereal bowl. Breakfast is truly the most important meal of the day for school-age kids. Skipping it means that children may go for more than18 hours without eating again after dinner the night before. Without food to fuel their brains, it’s difficult for children to focus and learn in class. A healthy breakfast should include complex carbohydrates (whole grains and fruits), protein and plenty of water.
Sun protection shouldn’t end with summer. Although children are inside much of the day, recess, lunch and after school sports are often during peak UV sun hours (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.). Frequently, children are sent to play without the protection of sun block, hats or sunglasses. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using at least an SPF 15 sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection. Pack liquid or towelette sunscreen wipes in your child’s backpack for re-application throughout the day and after school. Just be sure to check with your school before packing sunscreen, as many administrators require a doctor’s note prior to application.
Offer brain food. Healthy lunches and snacks go a long way toward giving children the boost they need to finish the day. However, as kids mature, lunch becomes less about food and more about socialization. While you’re concerned about a lunch’s nutritional value, your child may be more concerned about her lunch receiving the approval of classmates. To make the lunch work for both of you, make a shopping list and pack lunches and snacks together. While simple carbohydrates are easy to grab, try representing different food groups, such as protein, vegetables, dairy and fruits each day. If your child eats 5 colors of produce weekly (red, yellow, green, orange and blue) her mineral and vitamin needs will be met. You can also incorporate low fat cheese sticks, nuts (if your school allows), hummus, whole wheat crackers, dried fruits and yogurt. Top everything off with plenty of water and avoid beverages high in sugar.
Reinforce good hygiene. The first day of school brings new friends, new activities and new germs. Good hand-washing habits are critical for school-age children after the bathroom and before they eat. However, in their excitement to hit the lunchroom or playground, lots of kids skip the sink. Include alcohol-free, hypoallergenic cleansing wipes in your child’s book bag to make keeping clean and germ-free on the go easy.
Extra credit for staying active. Summer camp, little league games and play dates offer many opportunities for children to exercise. But once they enter school, most of their days are spent sitting behind desks. As a parent, you can find creative ways to maximize your time with your child by being active together. Turn on music and dance, have a pillow fight, race while walking home from school or clean the house together — anything to increase your heart rate.
Z’s lead to A’s. To ease your child into school hours, gradually adjust bedtime about two weeks before school starts. Generally, preschoolers need 12 hours (which can include naptime), kindergarteners need 11 hours, and children 8 and older need 10 hours. Once school starts, make sure your child has plenty of downtime to rest emotionally and physically, especially in the first few weeks.
Lead by example. You can reinforce healthy family habits by simply incorporating them into you and your child’s daily routine. Also remember that kids learn by example. If the whole family follows a healthy lifestyle, children will pick up on these habits and follow them both at home and at school.