Hershey

The Medical Minute: Keep pool time fun time this summer

Children enjoy a game while swimming in Penn State's outdoor pool on the University Park campus. Each year, pools are the most common site for drownings that occur in children between the ages of 1 and 4. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

As temperature outside cranks up, pool time can be the best part of your summer. But the dangers of swimming pools can’t be overstated, particularly for children. They are the most common site for drowning to occur in children between the ages of 1 and 4.

And small, inflatable kiddie pools aren’t immune to these risks: Did you know that a baby can drown in as little as one inch of water?

Simple practices—such as using proper flotation devices and water alarms, emptying kiddie pools daily, and knowing CPR can ensure your pool time is fun time this summer.

In this week’s Project Health video segment, Susan Rzucidlo, coordinator of the injury prevention program at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, offers other tips for keeping your family safe around the pool.

Last Updated June 26, 2013

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