Experts Fear Growing Drowning Epidemic This Summer As 8.3 Million Backyard Pools Open This Spring, A 9.5 % Increase In Two Years, Combined
With 6.4 Million Hot Tubs And Spas – A 14 %Increase Since 2
May 26, 2005 (Press Release) --
LOS ANGELES (May 26, 2005) — With summer fast approaching, EMS, first responders, and water safety advocates, are bracing for the unthinkable – the unfortunate drowning accidents in backyard swimming pools that annually claim the lives of nearly 500 children under the age of five, and an estimated 2,800 “near-drowning” incidents.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports, for every child who drowns, six more children are involved in “near-drowning” incidents – accidents that can lead to permanent neurological damage, life-long disabilities, and leaving the parents with catastrophic medical costs and years of recovery and therapy.
“The family swimming pool is supposed to be the center of fun and recreation,” said Todd Appleman, president and founder of www.eSafetyAlert.com, a safety products company that offers the Safety Turtle® immersion alarm that sets off a piercing siren the instant a child falls into the water. “The problem is swimming pools are very dangerous for young children, particularly toddlers. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under five and is the second leading cause of death for children under 14.”
“Public education and awareness programs have not had the impact that safety experts had hoped for,” said Appleman. “We need to be more effective in reaching parents with the messages about active parental supervision and precautions known as ‘layers of protection’ – the barriers that pool owners can put in place to help minimize the danger.”
This gap in awareness, and lack of action among parents, became acutely apparent in 2003 when www.eSafetyAlert.com, and Terrapin Communications, the company that designed and markets Safety Turtle, commissioned Harris Interactive to conduct a national poll among adults regarding pool safety and the precautions that can minimize drowning tragedies. Only 19 percent of the parents that responded were aware that drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among children under five. Even worse, only 41 percent of the respondents said they have CPSC recommended “layers of protection” installed around their pools.
Layers of protection start with a door chime alarm that sounds when doors leading to the pool area are opened. Most importantly, ASTM-standard fences that completely surround the swimming pool with self-closing access gates equipped with a child-proof alarms are essential. Other layers of protection include an automatic or retracting pool safety cover, and an ASTM approved pool alarm.
“Barriers help keep children from entering the pool area, or the pool,” said Appleman. “While these layers of protection are crucial for any home where children are present, an alarm such as Safety Turtle, introduced in 1998, is what we consider the ‘last line of defense.’ Should a child find a way into the pool or spa, an alarm sounds the instant the wristband sensor makes contact with the water.”
For more information about Safety Turtle, visit www.eSafetyAlert.com or call 1-800-892-9551.
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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports, for every child who drowns, six more children are involved in “near-drowning” incidents – accidents that can lead to permanent neurological damage, life-long disabilities, and leaving the parents with catastrophic medical costs and years of recovery and therapy.
“The family swimming pool is supposed to be the center of fun and recreation,” said Todd Appleman, president and founder of www.eSafetyAlert.com, a safety products company that offers the Safety Turtle® immersion alarm that sets off a piercing siren the instant a child falls into the water. “The problem is swimming pools are very dangerous for young children, particularly toddlers. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under five and is the second leading cause of death for children under 14.”
“Public education and awareness programs have not had the impact that safety experts had hoped for,” said Appleman. “We need to be more effective in reaching parents with the messages about active parental supervision and precautions known as ‘layers of protection’ – the barriers that pool owners can put in place to help minimize the danger.”
This gap in awareness, and lack of action among parents, became acutely apparent in 2003 when www.eSafetyAlert.com, and Terrapin Communications, the company that designed and markets Safety Turtle, commissioned Harris Interactive to conduct a national poll among adults regarding pool safety and the precautions that can minimize drowning tragedies. Only 19 percent of the parents that responded were aware that drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among children under five. Even worse, only 41 percent of the respondents said they have CPSC recommended “layers of protection” installed around their pools.
Layers of protection start with a door chime alarm that sounds when doors leading to the pool area are opened. Most importantly, ASTM-standard fences that completely surround the swimming pool with self-closing access gates equipped with a child-proof alarms are essential. Other layers of protection include an automatic or retracting pool safety cover, and an ASTM approved pool alarm.
“Barriers help keep children from entering the pool area, or the pool,” said Appleman. “While these layers of protection are crucial for any home where children are present, an alarm such as Safety Turtle, introduced in 1998, is what we consider the ‘last line of defense.’ Should a child find a way into the pool or spa, an alarm sounds the instant the wristband sensor makes contact with the water.”
For more information about Safety Turtle, visit www.eSafetyAlert.com or call 1-800-892-9551.
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