Page 88 - GreenBook

b. Do not permit your child of any age to swim alone or unsupervised. p-n
0. Provide constant eye contact supervision. The supervising adult should fmm
^
know how to get emergency help and be trained in CPR. Rescue p.,
equipment such as a shepherd's hook and life preserver should be
readily available at the pool side. ^
d. Do not permit a young child or a child who does not know how to swim
to use inflatable toys and mattresses in water above their waist. They "
may deflate or your child may slip off.
e. Teach your child safety rules and reinforce them before swimming.

• NO SWIMMING ALONE

• NO SWIMMING DURING STORMS OR LIGHTNING

• NO PUSHING OTHERS UNDER WATER

• NO DIVING EXCEPT WHERE PERMITTED BY AN ADULT

• NO RUNNING

• Pools should be totally enclosed (360 degrees) with fencing that a
child cannot easily climb over. The gates used should be self-
closing with latches placed where young children cannot reach

them.

f. Spas and hot tubs present a special threat of entrapment, drowning and
overheating. Young children should be excluded from their use.

g. If your family enjoys boating, sailing, and canoeing on lakes, rivers and
streams be sure your children wear the correct life jackets.

h. A swimming pool in the yard can be a very dangerous area for children.
If possible, do not put a swimming pool in your yard until your children
are over 5 years of age.

M. Playground Equipment
The following information has been presented by the American Academy of

Pediatrics in their Injury Prevention Program.

Some safety tips for home playground equipment are:
1. Young children should be supervised when using playground equipment.

There should be noshoving, pushing orfighting.

2. Swing seats should be made of soft materials, not wood or metal.
3. Children should not twist swings or swing empty seats or walk in front of

moving swings.
4. Parents should assemble home playground equipment correctly and make

sure the equipment is firmly anchored on the ground on a level surface.
5. Parents should cap all screws and bolts and check for loose nuts and bolts

periodically.
6. Parents should not buy equipment with "S" type hooks, sharp edges or rings

between 5" and 10" since they may entrap the child's head.
7. Never install playground equipment over hard surfaces such as concrete or

asphalt. Instead use soft surfaces such as rubber, sand, sawdust, wood
chips or bark.
8. Parents should install playground equipment at least six feet from fences or

walls.

87