4th of July pool and booster seat safety

NEW TRENDS IN CHILD DROWNING PREVENTION

Child drowning headlines are all too common in Arizona, the state ranked second in the nation for these preventable tragedies. The impact of these losses is felt by family members, friends, emergency care providers, and the entire community.

Are child drownings preventable, and is there new information or trends for parents to be aware of?

The answer is "yes" to both. Every drowning is preventable, with layers of protection. Using multiple strategies, or "layers" allows parents to have a well-rounded plan for protection.

What should your water safety plan include?

- Adult supervision - Drownings are entirely silent events, and happen in minutes. No child or adult should ever swim alone. Whenever children have access to the water, adults should be within "touch distance," meaning an adult can reach out and grab the child immediately if he or she is in distress. Make it a point to designate a "Water Watcher" and rotate the responsibility every fifteen minutes, so supervision is always fresh.

- Barriers - The Arizona Child Fatality Review team estimates that 95 percent of our child drownings could have been prevented with the effective use of a barrier, such as a pool fence. A pool fence can act as a second layer of protection if a child slips into the back yard unnoticed. Maintain barriers by keeping the gate locked when not in use, trimming trees near the pool area, and keeping furniture inside the pool area. Childproof locks on doors leading out to the back yard, and chime alarms on doors, can enhance safety.

- Classes - Lack of oxygen can cause permanent injury to a child in minutes. CPR restores the oxygen to the brain, potentially saving a life. Caregivers should refresh their CPR skills regularly, so they will know what to do in an emergency. Also, children should take water safety and swimming classes at the appropriate age.

For more information on the ABC's of Water Safety, go to www.phoenixchildrens.com/about/community-outreach-education/abc-pdf.pdf

Since January of 2000, 163 children have drowned in Maricopa County alone. www.childrensafetyzone.com

- Child drownings are on the decline in Maricopa County. In 2006, the child drowning rate reached an all time low of 3.2 per 100,000, compared to the record high of 23.8 per 100,000, which was reached in 1986. This trend marks a dramatic decline in fatalities, probably brought on by increased awareness of the need for barriers between children and the water, combined with strong prevention messaging from local organizations and media. But the trend relies heavily on awareness and effort from the community, so the sense of urgency for the issue must remain strong.

- Child drownings are increasing in the Hispanic Community. The number of Hispanic children involved in water-related incidents in 2006 increased to the highest level on record: 36.1 percent.

- Tough economic conditions mean families are spending more time at home, poolside, rather than vacationing out of state or at local resorts. This creates a continued need for vigilance around the water.

- Hot weather can spell trouble. Child drownings are more likely when temperatures in the area soar, making the pool area more likely to be used by the family, and more attractive to active toddlers who are always "on the move."

- Child drownings occur in grandparents' homes. Any residence where a child spends time needs to be thoroughly childproofed, even if the children visit only occasionally.

- Children are at risk in different ways as they age:

- An infant is more likely to drown in a bucket or bathtub, so being aware at bath-time is critical. (For more information about bathtub safety, click here. www.phoenixchildrens.com/about/community-outreach-education/pdfs/tubby-tags.pdf)

- Toddlers between the ages of two and four are most likely to be injured in a swimming pool (For more information about pool safety, click here. www.phoenixchildrens.com/PDFs/education/pool_safety_eng.pdf)

- Children above the age of five are most likely to be injured in a river or lake. (For more information about pool safety, click here. www.phoenixchildrens.com/PDFs/education/water_sport_safety_eng.pdf)

- Child drownings are more likely to occur on summer holiday weekends. The Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day are all times when the risk of drownings increases.

Practice the ABC's of Water Safety at all times, especially holiday weekends, so you can enjoy Arizona's sunshine together!

Liberty and Safety for All? Protecting the Forgotten Child

Erin Kuroiwa
Child Passenger Safety Coordinator
Phoenix Children's Hospital
AJ, a six year old from Chandler rides proudly in his booster seat. He, unlike many kids his age is still using a child restraint. AJ and his family have adopted Indiana's booster seat law as their own. When friends ask why he's still in a car seat he proudly responds, "The law is 8 years old and 80 pounds in Indiana." A child between the ages of 4 and 8 riding with only a seat belt is commonly known as the "forgotten child." Seat belts are intended to protect adult bodies that are taller than 4 feet 9 inches tall. Children need an extra boost to keep them safe during travel.

Arizona does not have a booster seat law. We are behind the other 39 states that have enacted laws protecting the forgotten child. A study conducted by the Partners for Child Passenger Safety found that "belt-positioning booster seats lower the risk of injury to children in crashes by 59% compared to the use of vehicle seat belts alone."

When we ask parents why their child doesn't use a booster seat, the most common answer was that they didn't know about the importance of using a booster seat to prevent death or injury.

Here are two ways to determine if your child needs a booster seat:

r When your child weighs 40 pounds and is approximately 4 years old he or she is ready for a booster (each booster seat has specific instructions for height and weight requirements).

r Assess how your child sits in the car without the use of the booster.

Here's a quick 5-Step Test developed by SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A

1. Does your child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do your child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt go across the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can my child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

If you answered no to any of the five questions, give your child a boost. Booster seats are inexpensive. Prices range from $15-$150.

In the back seat, in the booster seat, every time until your child is 4 feet 9!

For more information about Child Passenger Safety please contact the Phoenix Children's Hospital Injury Prevention Center (602) 546-0960.