Police Promote Water Safety

MIDDLETOWN – Young children are irresistibly drawn to water. An average of 350 children under the age of five drown each year in swimming pools in the United States.

It takes less than 30 seconds for a child to drawn, often without any sounds or warnings.

The Connecticut State Police has issued the following pool and swimming safety rules:

Never swim alone; use a buddy system and maintain eye contact. Never leave children, even swimmers, unattended in or around pools, not even for a few minutes.

Swim only in supervised and approved areas.

Keep rescue equipment near the pool. Have emergency floatation devices nearby and a phone with emergency numbers.

Teach children how to swim.

Obey and enforce pool rules – no running, pushing, or dunking. Never pretend or jokingly call for help.

Take all toys out of the pool when not swimming. Keep the pool area located and secure when not in use.

Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and water rescue techniques.