(HealthDayNews) -- Every year, hundreds of children under age five drown in swimming pools, according to Fayette Hospital in Atlanta.
Many of these accidents can be prevented by practicing pool safety.
Here are some guidelines:
- Never leave your child unsupervised when he's anywhere near a pool.
- Leave a phone by the pool, not only for emergencies, but also to avoid stepping inside to answer a call.
- Always accompany a toddler in the water.
- Don't rely on floats, rafts or water wings.
- If you have a pool in your backyard, make sure it's fenced and the entry latch is childproof.
- When you're not using the pool, take all toys away so kids aren't tempted to go near the water and get them.
- Learn CPR and emergency rescue techniques.
- If a child is missing, always look in the pool first. Seconds count in preventing death.
