Must-have pool safety products for families
As the summer months usher in peak pool and beach season, parents and caregivers are urged to prioritize water safety for young children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that every year in the United States there are more than 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths and these numbers spike in the summer months.
Drowning remains the second leading cause of unintentional death for kids ages 5-14, with a startling 28% rise in fatalities in 2022 compared to 2019, according to the CDC.
The CDC's recent findings underscore an urgent call to action. Dr. Debra Houry, the CDC's former chief medical officer and deputy director for Program and Science, emphasized the devastating impact of these tragedies on families, highlighting the necessity of community-wide preventive measures.
The CDC advocates for robust drowning prevention tactics, including installing four-sided pool fencing, constant and close supervision, life jackets and early swim lessons depending on a child's developmental readiness.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports these recommendations, advising that children as young as 1 can benefit from swimming lessons, depending on their emotional and physical development.
Parents are encouraged to consult with pediatricians before enrolling children aged 1 to 3 in swim classes, and it is strongly recommended that all children 4 and older receive swim training.
While the report focused on "basic swimming and water safety skills training" as the primary means of avoiding drowning, it also recommended "pool fencing, alarms and flotation devices such as life jackets" to reduce drowning risks.
Take a look at the pool safety products below.
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Pool alarms
Pool alarms provide an added safety alert by sounding when someone enters the water or opens a pool gate, helping adults respond quickly if a child gets too close.
Pool fences and covers
Pool fences and secure covers create a critical barrier around the water, helping prevent unsupervised access and giving parents an extra layer of protection when the pool isn’t in use.
Personal flotation devices
Personal flotation devices help keep kids buoyant in the water, and are an important safety tool for young swimmers and inexperienced swimmers alike.
