“Summertime,
And the livin’ is easy”
— George Gershwin

Summer is here, and especially in Southern California, that means opportunities to enjoy lots of outdoor activities including fun days at the beach and in the pool.  Unfortunately that also means more accidental drowning.  In 2005 there were 3,582 drowning fatalities in the United States, a quarter of them in kids 14 and under.

So this is a good time to remind ourselves never to leave children unattended in or near a pool.  With kids younger than 5 an adult should be within arm’s reach.  Teach your kids to swim.  Learn CPR.  Fence your pool.

So let’s all enjoy America’s two hundred thirty-second birthday in a way that will keep us around for the next one too.  Oh, and wear sunscreen.

Learn more:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Water-Related Injuries Fact Sheet

American Academy of Pediatrics Pool Safety for Children