For Immediate Release Contact: Collin Nash or Sid Nathan
July 17, 2009 (516) 869 7794
Town of North Hempstead offers Pool Safety Tips
Westburyt, NY- Supervisor Jon Kaiman and Councilman Robert Troiano reminded residents today that with the onset of pool season, some precautions should be taken in regard to pool safety. When school is let out for the summer and children rush to the pools, safety is a main concern, town officials said.
Nearly 300 children younger than 5 years old drown in pools and spas each year, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). An additional 3,000 suffer pool or spa-related injuries requiring attention at hospital emergency rooms.
A recent report from CPSC states that about two thirds of the pool and spa-related deaths and injuries involve children ages 1-2, with about 80% of the drowning fatalities occurring in residential settings, such as the victim’s home, a family or friend’s house or at a neighbor’s residence.
“The Town of North Hempstead is reaching out to the community and offering pool safety tips in order to prevent tragedies this summer,” said Supervisor Kaiman. “The town holds regulations above what state and many other local municipalities require. North Hempstead requires all residents who own a pool to follow the requirements set forth in the town code when installing and maintaining their pool.”
The town code includes regulations such as “the pool shall be equipped with a cover approved by the Building Department of the Town and shall be of sufficient strength to protect against accidental entry into the pool. The pool shall be covered at all times when containing water and not in use,” among others. A full copy of the town code can be found at www.northhempstead.com, section 70-102 outlines pool requirements.
“Many people feel that because they don’t have small children they don’t have to take the same precautions as those who do,” said Councilman Troiano. “But in reality every pool or hot tub brings risk of accidental drowning. A child can walk in to your backyard at any time.”
POOL SAFETY TIPS FROM THE TOWN
Compiled with assistance from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission
§ If a child is missing, always look first in the pool. Seconds count!
§ Never leave a child unsupervised in or near a pool, even for a moment
§ You must put up a fence to separate your house from the pool. The Town requires the installation of a fence at least 6 feet high around all sides of the pool, as well as the use of self closing and self latching gates that secure from the inside.
§ Practice touch supervision with children younger than 5 years. This means that the adult is within an arm’s length of the child at all times
§ After use, securely close the pool
§ Keep rescue equipment and a phone near the pool
§ Never use a pool with its pool cover partially in place, since children may become entrapped under it. Remove the cover completely
§ Remove all toys from the pool after use so children aren’t tempted to reach for them
§ Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The offers CPR training and certification courses to all residents multiple times per year. The town sponsors the training courses with the National Safety Council Adult and Pediatric CPR and AED. Training and certification courses are held at Town Hall. Call 311 for more information.
Call 311 for more information.
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