SAFE KIDS WASHOE COUNTY EDUCATING PUBLIC ON HIDDEN HAZARD IN POOLS AND SPAS
New Research for National Safe Kids Week Shows Parents Not Adequately Aware of the Risk of Drain Entrapment and Entanglement

May 10, 2006 — The Safe Kids Washoe County Coalition shared findings from a national study showing 66 percent of parents are not at all aware or are only somewhat familiar with the risk of a child becoming entrapped or entangled in the drain of a pool or spa. The research, conducted by Safe Kids Worldwide, was announced marking the Coalition’s participation in National Safe Kids Week 2006 (May 6-13).

This year’s National Safe Kids Week events are dedicated to preventing drowning, the second leading cause of accidental death among children ages one to 14. A specific focus has been put on drain entrapment and entanglement, a particularly horrific way for children to drown. Entrapment occurs when part of a child’s body becomes attached to a drain because of the powerful suction of a pool or spa’s filtration system. It also can occur when a child’s hair or swimsuit gets tangled in the drain or on an underwater object, such as a ladder.

“A child is no match for the powerful suction of a drain,” said Melissa Krall, Safe Kids Washoe County coordinator. “With the right equipment and knowledge children can easily be protected from this risk. Parents should warn their children to stay away from drains and install safety devices if they own a pool or spa.”

The new research shows only one third (34 percent) of parents with children aged 14 or under in the household recognize that drowning is one of the top two causes of accidental death among children, and that 66 percent are not at all or only somewhat familiar with the threat of drain entrapment and entanglement. Both of these findings are alarming because research reveals that pool and spa ownership is becoming more popular. One out of two parents (49 percent) report that they have a pool or spa at home.

In 2004, drowning accounted for only one percent of the total accidental child deaths in Nevada, but the coordinator pointed out the risk is still a local concern.

“Parents and caregivers must remain vigilant and watch children around any form of water,” Krall said. “Because of the diverse nature of our communities, children are at risk unattended in bathtubs, near pools and hot tubs and especially in so many of our recreational areas like streams, rivers and lakes.”

Through public awareness activities like National Safe Kids Week, Safe Kids Washoe County seeks to educate parents and caregivers about potential risks to children and adults’ role in preventing injuries. National Safe Kids Week has been held annually for 13 years and this year’s theme is Safe Pools for Safe Kids. The Safe Kids Washoe County event is one of more than 300 Safe Kids Week events taking place across the nation to educate parents and pool owners about how to keep kids safe from drowning.

Safe Kids Washoe County and REMSA will again launch their special water safety program called “Water Watcher Whistles.” The goal of the program is to increase adult supervision of children ages 14 and younger around bodies of water and provide the designated adult in charge with accessible tools, including quick safety tips to follow when they spot a child in trouble in a pool, lake or other body of water.

The purpose of the Water Watcher program is to provide the adult in charge with useful tools to notify others if a child is in trouble. The tools include a whistle to create noise and capture other’s attention, an informational flier and a card with four quick tips of what to do in case of a water emergency including:

A child should never be unsupervised in or near water, even shallow wading pools. Devices (such as bathtub seats or water wings) cannot be relied upon to keep them afloat and alive. Children can drown in as little as one inch of water — and it happens in no time at all.

Drownings and near-drownings tend to occur on the weekend (40 percent) and between the months of May and August (66 percent). This summer, it is important for parents to take the proper precautions when taking their children swimming – pools, spas and open water.
Water Watcher whistles and safety cards are available at the following locations:

• District Health Department WIC front desk -1001 East Ninth Street
• Washoe Health Resource Center front desk - Located on the first floor of Washoe Professional Center, 75 Pringle Way, adjacent to Washoe Medical Center, Reno
• Northern Nevada Medical Center emergency room - 2375 East Prater Way, Sparks
• REMSA front desk - 450 Edison Way, Reno
• YMCA of Northern Nevada – 1300 Foster Drive, Reno and 850 Baring Blvd., Sparks
• Double Diamond Athletic Club – 9400 Double Diamond Parkway, Reno

For more information or for a copy of the research report, contact Safe Kids Washoe County at 858-5700, ext 151 or mkrall@remsa-cf.com or visit www.usa.safekids.org.

Safe Kids Washoe County works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children 14 and under. Safe Kids Washoe County is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing accidental injury. Safe Kids Washoe County was founded in 2000 and is led by Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority (REMSA). Coalition members include local agencies and individuals representing Washoe County Health Department, Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center, State of Nevada Injury Prevention, the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety, MADD, Kiwanis, Frontier Financial Credit Union, Pikkante Sports and many others

450 Edison Way Reno, Nevada 89502 (775)858-5700 Fax (775)858-5720