Expert Offers Tips On Swimming Pool Safety

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- As local kids head to area pools for a summer of splashing around, the deaths of two children who had to be pulled out of the water while swimming is weighing heavily on the minds of some parents.

So what can you do to keep your children safe?

Warm weather and swimming pools are supposed to go hand-in-hand with bringing smiles to the faces of kids and parents, but two tragic drownings in area pools last weekend alone are a reminder of just how dangerous the water can be.

"The most important thing is prevention, making sure kids are adequately supervised," said Dr. Brian Schultz, of Children's Hospital.

On duty lifeguards make a big difference. But some parents say they like to be there too, as extra eyes and ears, because watching kids in the water can be tough for anyone.

"You spend a lot of time worrying about it, yet you want to let them be kids," said Paul Anderson, of Dormont.

"My heart goes out to the parents that lost their children," said Levette Mariner, of West Mifflin. "I don't think it was bad parenting; it's just, accidents happen."

So how do you prevent the accidents? Well, you watch them closely and if there is an accident - act quickly - don't waste any time responding.

"It's better just to call 911 immediately and remove the kid from the pool," said Dr. Schultz. "Probably one of the things in cases where the kid is submerged for a period of time, the thing that makes the difference is adequate time or adequate CPR done, and as little delay as possible."

However, the experts seem to agree that preventing an accident is much easier than responding to one.

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