The Vancouver Sun reported a five year old B.C. boy was in critical but stable condition after falling into the family pool Easter long weekend. The warm weather took many people outdoors hoping for an early summer, but is your backyard ready for summer?
Parents of a North Vancouver toddler who drowned in their pool last April are upset at the lack of stronger safety regulations. “It makes me really, really angry because it’s so completely preventable,” says mom Alia Chryssolor.
The Chryssolors are concerned pool owners aren’t aware of current safety regulations. They believe that fencing and gating around pools should be more strongly enforced, and should be subject to private inspections. She is concerned landlords won’t act unless legally obligated to do so.
Until changes are made, be sure to protect your family and friends. Pool Safely is an initiative started in the U.S. and is full of family resources to help educate themselves and their children on pool safety. Health Canada has these tips to keep your pool safe:
- Build a fence around the pool that does not use an outside house wall
- Keep gates locked
- Always have an adult watching children in and around the pool
- Keep toys away from the pool
- Children under three or those who do not know how to swim should always wear a personal flotation device (PFD)
May 15 is International Water Safety Day, a day dedicated to helping educate parents and youth about water safety. Prevention can help avoid the 30,000 monthly water related deaths.
For More Information:
- Parents of drowned child up set at lack of safety regulations for backyard pools, The Vancouver Sun
- Concerned North Van mother petitioning for stricter pool-safety laws, The Province
- Swimming Pool Safety, Health Canada
- International Water Safety Day
- Safer Pool Fencing Legislation Chart, SafeKidsCanada
