GAINESVILLE - Summer break has arrived, and with it the tragedy of small children drowning in swimming pools.The Gainesville/Hall County Safe Kids Coalition says the key to keeping children safe is paying attention.
Safe Kids Coordinator Kim Martin says she's stepped up safety efforts in the wake of at least two recent area child drownings in Hall and Gwinnett counties - and another in south Georgia - and there are several safety tips that she hopes parents and care givers use this summer.
"We are telling parents to supervise their children around water," Martin said. "Swimming pools even above ground and in ground pools should have a four sided fence that should be five feet tall with a self locking gate latch on the inside."
Martin said don't leave toys or other play items in the pool that would attract children to water, and kids can start swimming lessons as young as 18 months and parents, grandparents and care givers should know CPR.
"We basically tell children they should never go around water of any kind, a pool, open water lake, or creek without an adult there," Martin said.
Martin said the key to water safety with children is a watchful eye; while the kids are near or in the pool or the lake that means don't read a book, get on the cell phone, texting or cooking if there is no one with them watching them.
"You should have a designated water watcher who is in charge of watching the children," Martin said.
Saturday
June 21st, 2025
11:53PM
