With the onset of spring and summer, pool and water safety are major concerns of many people; those with and without children. We hope to provide you with helpful information on how you can have a safe, fun filled pool/water experience. Each year, nationwide, more than 300 children under 5 years old drown in residential swimming pools, usually a pool owned by their family. In addition, more than 2,000 children in that age group are treated in hospital emergency rooms for submersion injures. At the time of the incidents, most victims were being supervised by one or both parents. Forty-six percent of the victims were last seen in the house; 23 percent were last seen in the yard or on the porch or patio; and 31 percent were in or around the pool before the accident. In all, 69 percent of the children were not expected to be at or in the pool, yet they were found in the water. Pool submersions involving children happen quickly. A child can drown in the time it takes to answer a phone. Seventy-seven percent of the victims had been missing from sight for 5 minutes or less. Survival depends on rescuing the child quickly and restarting the breathing process, even while the child is still in the water. Seconds count in preventing death or brain damage. Child drowning is a silent death. There's no splashing to alert anyone that the child is in trouble. Informtaion courtesy of U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Office of Information & Public Affairs, Washington, DC 20207. Used with permission. This quilt square has been added to the RAOK Quilt For The Cause. You may visit the RAOK quilts by clicking on the quilt square. Pool Rules Instruct babysitters about potential pool hazards to young children and about the use of protective devices, such as door alarms and latches. Emphasize the need for constant supervision. Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool. During social gatherings at or near a pool, appoint a "designated watcher" to protect young children from pool accidents. Adults may take turns being the "watcher." When adults become preoccupied, children are at risk. If a child is missing, check the pool first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom and surface, as well as the pool area. Do not allow a young child in the pool without an adult. Do not consider young children to be drownproof because they have had swimming lessons. Children must be watched closely while swimming. Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision. Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Babysitters and other caretakers, such as grandparents and older siblings, should also know CPR. Keep rescue equipment by the pool. Be sure a telephone is poolside with emergency numbers posted nearby. Remove toys from in and around the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children to the pool. Never prop open the gate to a pool barrier. Kid Source - Pool Safety Water Safety for Babies General Water Safety Canada News Wire - Water Safety Beach and Water Safety Swimbabes Infant Toddler Swim Survival Safety Children and Drowning Kids Water Safety - CNN A Close Call: One Father's Story The Paranoid Sisters: Child Safety Tips for Parents & Caregivers Guide to Safe Ocean Swimming Water Safety Guide Swimming Pool Safety Staying Safe In The Water Lake and Pond Safety Pool Safety National Water Safety Program Water Safety Ideas At Work Watersafety.org.uk - saving lives United States Lifesaving Association Swimming Safety Tips How to do Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation(CPR) SUN SAFETY and Sun protection advice Health Effects of Overexposure to the Sun Be sure to visit page two of our project: Fun in the Sun! Dangers of Undertow Submitted by Missybelle Some people call it a rip current, some call it an undertow. I call it a very dangerous place to be caught in while swimming in the ocean. After living on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico for most of my life, I have seen and felt the effects of an undertow. It's a force you can not fight against. For parents who are taking their family to the beach, I suggest that you make sure there is a lifeguard on duty where your family is swimming. Before letting the children wander out in the water check it yourself to see how strong the current is so that you are aware of this as they go in the water. The one time that I was caught in an undertow was when I was 11 years old. I was very lucky that it only took me about 25 feet out in the water and that I knew how to swim. Please be aware of the hazards of these very dangerous currents. If you'd like to link to this project, please use this graphic. Link it back to http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Canyon/5077/project24/water.html This RAOK TLC project was made possible with the help of the wonderful members of the TLC committee and all their suggestions and ideas. The following members should be mentioned for their special contributions: Web pages by: zack and Shirley Quilt Square by Lainey Background sets by Gramma Nancy and Shirley Ideas/Contributions by Marsha, Vu, Fan, Amber Story by Missybelle Graphics by Gramma Nancy, zack, Resa, Lainey, Linda B., Shirley, Fan URL/Link research by Linda B., Amber, Shirley, Vu, SueCat, Patti/Filbert, zack, Marsha, Fan Special thanks to our TLC Committee Leader, Kind Soul and TLC Assistant Committee Leader, Nick.