Arizona's warm, dry air and relatively affluent population account for a proliferation of private and public swimming pools. Unfortunately, Arizona also has a major problem with swimming pool accidents, making it 1 of 10 states where drowning surpasses all other causes of death to children ages 14 and younger.
Overall, about 3,000 people drown in the U.S. each year. In July 2010, Arizona had already experienced nearly 100 drownings, making this year one of its deadliest for drowning incidents. Mesa, Ariz., a community of nearly 500,000 residents, has already had six drowning or near-drowning incidents in 2010 for children ages 6 or younger.
A child can lose consciousness in a pool in as little as 20 seconds. Permanent brain damage can occur in only four minutes without oxygen. For these reasons, pool owners and parents need to know how to keep the risk of drowning to a minimum. The requirements for pool ownership and safety are found at the Arizona Department of Health Services Web site and include these major provisions:
- Residences with at least one child younger than age 6 are required, under Arizona law, to erect an enclosure that entirely surrounds the pool area that is at least 5 feet in height, has no openings through which a 4-inch spherical object can pass, is very difficult to climb and is at least 20 inches from the water's edge.
- If the residence makes up part of the enclosure, the wall or barrier must be at least 4 feet high. For all enclosures, it must have a gate that opens outward from the pool and is self-closing and self-latching.
- A motorized safety pool cover is required with a key switch that conforms to American Society of Testing and Materials (ATSM) standards.
Children should be taught to swim and should never be left unattended. Any device or object that could be used to climb over a pool enclosure should be removed. Tricycles and other toys with wheels need to be kept out of the pool area. Also, owners need to regularly check all gates and latches to insure they are working properly and gates should be kept closed at all times.
Owners or those watching children should be trained in CPR and other lifesaving techniques and have a cell phone or emergency phone readily available to call 911.
