children in pools Tag

3 Tips for Pool Safety

As the dog days of summer drag on, the pool is probably your family’s favorite hangout. But accidental drownings are the leading cause of death in children in the United States.¹ To help keep your family safe this summer, the physicians at Medco ER & Urgent Care of Plano, TX, have put together these 3 tips for pool safety that every homeowner should know.

1. Create a Barrier

An enclosed fence on all four sides of the pool is a key safety feature that should coincide with a pool’s installation. The lock on the gate should be higher than a child’s reach and should be self-closing and latching. For above-ground pools, remove the ladder or steps when not in use, as well as any other equipment that could be used to gain access.

Consider installing a locking pool cover.² Use a safety float line to partition off the deep end for young swimmers. Use childproof window and door locks on the side facing the pool.

“Barriers are essential for keeping children away from water,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “However, it is good advice that if your child is missing, check the water first.”

2. Install an Alarm

Alarms can alert adults to a child trying to gain access to a pool without supervision. Since 69% of young children who drown were not expected to be in the water, a warning alarm could save a life.²

There are several options for alarms. They can be installed on patio doors that lead out to the pool, on the gate of the fence that provides the pool barrier, or installed in the water as a sensor for a child unexpectedly entering the water.

3. Invest in Education

While purchasing alarms and barriers seem like sensible investments, you can also prepare your children for pool safety by investing in their education. At the earliest age that is appropriate, take them to swimming lessons. Spend time regularly reviewing pool rules and then enforcing them. Finally, attend CPR training to know what to do in the event of an emergency.

Here are some common pool rules to get you started:

• No swimming without an adult present
• No swimming without permission
• No entering pool area without an adult present
• No running around the pool
• No diving (or dive only in deep end, if applicable)
• No alcohol and swimming
• No roughhousing or pushing into the pool
• Stay away from drains and filters

“While drowning is a parent’s biggest fear when it comes to pool safety, running on wet pavement is also a concern. Kids racing around a pool to jump in can have a serious slip and fall injury,” said Dr. Khan. “We see a lot of lacerations on chins and concussions from this common accident.”

Get help at Medco ER & Urgent Care

While these pool safety tips will help prevent many accidents, children or adults may still inhale water or have other pool-related emergencies. That’s why Medco ER & Urgent Care is open 24/7 to provide immediate access to quality healthcare right when you need it the most.

• Plano location:

3960 Legacy Drive, Plano TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)

            Call us @ 469-392-4000

¹ https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/drowning-prevention-and-facts.html

² https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/home-pool-safety.html

Dry Drowning: Fact or Fiction?

The media has widely spread stories of cases of dry drowning in recent months, but how much of it is true and how much is urban legend? While rare, there have been cases of children who have suffered from respiratory distress hours after being in the water. Medco ER & Urgent Care of Plano, TX, is the first line of defense in diagnosing and treating conditions caused by water aspiration, commonly called “dry drowning.”

What is dry drowning?

Dry drowning is an informal expression that is used outside of the medical profession. While medical professionals take issue with the term “dry drowning,” there can be instances of respiratory distress or, in extreme cases, respiratory failure that occurs after the lungs have struggled for some time after inhaling water.¹

Drowning refers to a lack of oxygen in the lungs from being in or under the water. That’s why dry drowning is not a recognized medical term. It is not related to drowning. Instead, it refers to an inflammation of the lungs that is a secondary cause of inhaling water.

 “What is commonly considered dry drowning is actually a very rare occurrence,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “Most children do cough and sputter when in the water because water goes up their noses or they swallow or inhale water. That’s a normal part of being in the water and is usually not a cause for undue concern.”

What are the symptoms of dry drowning?

• Skin discoloration
• Fast breathing
• Hard pulling to breathe
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Vomiting
• Foaming at the mouth
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Irritability
• Disorientation

Warning Signs – Act Fast

Any kind of respiratory dysfunction should be checked out by a medical professional. “If your child has any kind of trouble breathing or a cough, chest pain, vomiting or fever—regardless of how long ago he or she was in the water—come in to Medco ER right away to be checked out by one of our board-certified physicians,” said Dr. Khan.

Also, if your child has had a near-drowning incident, he or she should be taken to the ER to be checked out.

Prevention Measures

While it is impossible to make sure your child hasn’t inhaled any water while swimming, there are some things you can do to make sure he or she is as safe as possible.

• For pools, make sure there are fences and barriers to keep kids out of the pool when not supervised.
• When you are supervising your child in the pool or lake, be 100% present with no cell phone, books or conversations to distract you.
• Supervisors should be designated alcohol-free.
• Make sure your child has had swimming lessons as early as possible and knows how to float on their back.
• Don’t trust floating devices.
• Be close enough to touch when young children are in the water.
• Take frequent breaks with your child to help you stay alert.
• Become trained in CPR.

Get help at Medco ER & Urgent Care

If you suspect your child is experiencing some respiratory reactions from being in the water, come to Medco ER & Urgent Care right away. We’re open 24/7 every day of the year to help your child when delayed symptoms indicate something is not quite right. We’ll work to make sure your son or daughter is breathing easier again.

• Plano location:

3960 Legacy Drive, Plano TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)

            Call us @ 469-392-4000

¹ https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/know-the-facts-about-dry-drowning/