Each year, many children drown in backyard swimming pools and in small kiddie pools.

As the nice weather approaches and we have beautiful spring days such as today our thoughts shift to outdoor pool openings.

Each year, many children drown in backyard swimming pools and in small kiddie pools. This can be cause of danger for children as they like to play in water; move quickly; and can drown in only a few centimeters (1 inch) of water.

Why are these drowning occurring? Sometimes the pool is not fenced in all the way around; sometimes the gate to the backyard is not shut all the way or locked; sometimes a young child gets to the pool through a patio door or garage door that opens into the backyard.

Safety Tips from Health Canada include:
- Check with your town or city to find out the rules for putting up a fence around your pool.
- Build a fence and a gate that will keep children away from your pool.
- Keep the gate locked at all times.
- ALWAYS have an adult watching children in and around the pool.
- Children under the age of 3 and children who cannot swim must wear a life jacket or PFD (personal floatation device).
- Send children to swimming and water safety lessons.
- Make sure lifesaving equipment and a first aid kit are handy.
- Take a course on pool safety, first aid and lifesaving skills (such as CPR).
- Have emergency phone numbers listed at the telephone closest to the pool.
- Make sure toys, garden furniture and tools are not near the pool fence. Children can climb up on these things to get into the pool.

Prevention = Life