Parents urged to teach kids to swim

Although summer is drifting away, pool safety remains at the forefront for parents. In places like San Diego, Fort Worth and Phoenix, swimming takes place year round and the associated risks aren't set aside until next year, like in other places. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission recognized this and other factors and is continuing to promote its initiative to promote safe swimming.

What's the mission?
Back in May, the CPSC released a statement imploring families to be especially careful but also asking them to teach all children how to swim by the end of the year. Between then and Labor Day, 174 children between the ages of 1 and 14 have drowned in swimming pools, stated the USA Swimming Foundation, according to CPSC. Those numbers only account for a few months of the year and more incidents occur during non-summer months. Due to these tragedies, the CPSC continues to urge parents to take action for pool safety.

"Drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death for children between the ages of 1 and 4," said Acting CPSC chairman Robert Adler. "Most of these incidents happen at home, and all of these tragedies are preventable. I urge all parents and caregivers to teach children to swim or sign them up for swim classes, put a fence around all pools, and always watch children in and around the water."

How to get on board
Parents should not only enroll children in swimming lessons but they should take a few other measures to prevent injuries and drowning. They should be vigilant over children when they're swimming, suggested the source. Families should take CPR lessons so they can be prepared in the event of an emergency. Finally, they can reduce risk by installing a fence, gate and drain covers. Drains also pose a safety risk because they can cause entrapment, which has resulted in injury and deaths in the past. 

Families can enlist the help of San Diego, Fort Worth or Phoenix pool services for assistance on pool safety features. The company offers repairs, installations and routine maintenance. Clients in good standing are eligible for a free salt system, which has a significantly less amount of chlorine than other generators. They're known to cause less skin irritation that occurs from chemical interactions.