Every year we hear/read about backyard pool drownings. These water-related deaths are preventable. According to the Life Saving Society of Canada, children who drown have usually gained easy access to the pool or have been left unsupervised; sometimes only for minutes. Grey County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) offer these tips for backyard pool safety:

- Stay "within arms' reach" of children. Don't leave children unsupervised. Drowning can occur in as little as 10 seconds. Let the phone ring; don't barbecue and attempt to supervise at the same time – always keep your eyes on the pool even when you're having a conversation with others.

- Always watch children closely when they're playing with inflatable toys. They can overturn and put the child underwater. Limit the number of toys in the pool and remove all toys from the pool after swim time. This precaution prevents children from falling in while attempting to reach them.

- Restrict access to your backyard pool. Build a lockable fence around your pool. Check local by-laws for the required height of pool fences. The fence should surround the pool on all four sides and have just one entrance. Ensure that no one can climb over, under or through it. The gate should be self-locking. When inside the house, lock all doors that lead to the pool. A toddler can slip through an unlocked door in seconds.

- If children can't swim, insist that they wear a lifejacket or PFD at all times but remember that lifejackets and PFDs don't replace supervision of children.

- Keep all chemical products away from children. Lock the chemicals in a place with good air circulation.

- Don't dive or go head-first into the shallow end of the pool and never dive into an above ground pool. Protect your neck. Many head and spinal injuries are caused by horseplay.

- Don't swim if you've been drinking alcohol. Alcohol reduces your ability to respond quickly and appropriately.

- Always swim with a "buddy". In case of an emergency, someone is available to assist you. Have a cell phone nearby.

- Drain all backyard wading pools after use. A child can drown in just a few centimetres of water. Also, untreated water left in these pools can become a breeding ground for bacteria.

- Establish a set of pool rules .... and ensure that everyone using your pool follows them.

For more information, visitwww.lifesavingsociety.com.

source: media release, Grey County OPP