At the press conference to kick-off their summer campaign \u201cPool Safely: Simple Steps Save Lives\u201d, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced new statistics relating to drowning and near-drowning accidents. In the first five months of 2011 there have already been 55 drowning and 63 near-drowning incidents throughout 29 U.S. states and territories. What is even more shocking is that in each year from 2006-2008, an estimated average of 383 pool and spa-related drownings among children younger than fifteen took place with 76 percent being children under five years of age. Also alarming are statistics from 2008-2010 which show that in each of those years an average of 5,100 pool or spa submersion injuries for children younger than 15 were treated in emergency rooms. Of those cases, 79 percent were children under the age of five.<\/p>\n
At the press conference, CPSC Chairman Inez M. Tenenbaum and U.S. Olympic swimmer Janet Evans spoke, reminding the public of the importance of pool safety. Chairman Tenenbaum stated that \u201cthe number of drownings and near-drownings involving children under five [is] still a serious public health issue\u201d. Janet Evans gave advice from a mother\u2019s perspective saying, \u201cAs a parent, I know how important it is that I take every precaution to ensure the safety of my children in and around the water\u2014whether it\u2019s providing swimming lessons, installing a pool alarm, or just keeping a close eye on them while they\u2019re in the water\u2014all these steps will help prevent an incident.\u201d <\/p>\n