Water Safety

Drowning accidents are the leading cause of injury/death among children under five.

From 1991 to 1996, 47 children under the age of five drowned in Orange County, mostly in pools and spas.

Most children who drowned were last seen in the house or away from the pool or spa.

Children can drown in small quantities of water and are at risk in their own homes from wading pools, bathtubs, diaper pails, toilets, and buckets as well as swimming pools and spas.

Nationally, approximately 40 children drown in 5-gallon buckets each year.

A child can drown in the time it takes to answer the phone.

Pool owners can make a pool less dangerous by installing layers of protection.

Never allow young children to be left alone in or around the pool, not even for a moment.

Many float-type toys are thought to be lifesavers.  They are not!  They are only toys and should be used only as toys.

Never leave toys around or in a pool.  A child may fall in while trying to retrieve the toy.

Never rely on floatation devices to protect a child.

Do not rely on swimming lessons to protect a child. Twenty-five percent of all drowning victims have had swimming lessons.

All adults, children and babysitters should learn CPR.

Assign an adult Water Watcher to supervise the pool or spa area, especially during social gatherings.

Assign a second adult to maintain constant visual contact with children in the pool/spa or any body of water that might attract a child.

Mount rescue equipment by the pool such as a lifesaving ring, shepherd’s hook, CPR sign and phone.

Information provided courtesy of the                Orange County Fire Authority and the                            Los Alamitos Police Department.