RELEASE: July 1, 2005

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Officials promote water safety for July 4 th holiday weekend Effort aimed to prevent swimming pool drownings

ENGLISHTOWN— In preparation for the July 4 th holiday weekend, Human Services (DHS) Commissioner James M. Davy joined child advocates, the Northeast Spa & Pool Association (NESPA) and the American Red Cross to promote water safety around swimming pools today.

Last weekend an 11 month old girl drowned in the family swimming pool in East Brunswick . The only other child drowning so far this year was an eight year old disabled girl in a bathtub in January.

In preparation for the July 4th weekend, Commissioner James E. Davy held a press conference in Englishtown, where hewas joined by Dr. Anthony D'Urso, chairman of the NJ Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board, child advocates, the NortheastSpa & Pool Association (NESPA) and the American Red Cross, to promote water safety around swimming pools -- demonstrating a variety of safety devices and stressing the importance of learning to swim and knowing CPR.

“It is a festive time but also a dangerous one,” said Dr. Anthony D'Urso, chairman of the New Jersey Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board (CFNFRB). “As we move into the long holiday weekend, we must ask that parents never leave their children alone near water- not even for a minute.”

Back in 2003, there were 19 child drownings according to the state Center for Health Statistics (CHS). Seven of these deaths were swimming pool related including three within days of the July 4 th holiday. Though complete CHS statistics for 2004 are not available, the Division of Youth and Family Services recorded four drowning deaths last year including three in swimming pools.

According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, drowning is the second leading cause of death among children age birth to 14 behind only automobile accidents. Children under age one most often drown in bathtubs, buckets and toilets. Among children ages one to four years old, most drownings occur in residential swimming pools.

“Most parents don't think it can happen to them,” added Commissioner Davy. “Unfortunately, most swimming pool accidents happen in less than five minutes- tragedy can strike so quickly.”

As part of the event, representatives from the Northeast Spa & Pool Association demonstrated a variety of safety devices available for swimming pools. The American Red Cross also discussed the importance of learning to swim and CPR.

Some water safety tips to follow this July 4 th holiday weekend:

•  Never leave a child alone around water – Not Even for a Minute!

•  Always have an ADULT or responsible older teenage child supervising young swimmers.

•  Never use substitutes for supervision – flotation devices and inflatable toys are not a substitute for supervision.

•  Teach your child to swim at an early age.

•  Obey all posted or verbal rules, warning signs and other safety signs.

•  Don't mix alcohol and supervision of children near water.

•  Always drain and store in an upright position all plastic or blow-up wading pools after each use.

•  Enclose pool completely with self-locking, self-closing, fence with vertical bars and do not leave furniture around that children can use to climb over fence.

•  Be sure to remove pool covers completely reducing risk of children getting caught underneath.

•  Again - never leave a child alone around water – Not Even for a Minute!

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