Councilwoman Peggy Neely's
Tatum Sun Times Column
Let’s Keep Our Children Safe Around Water
With the weather starting to get warmer, many Phoenix residents will head to their swimming pool to help cool down. Whether you’re enjoying the water at a public pool or in your back yard, education is crucial for a successful pool environment. The city of Phoenix Fire Department has adopted three practices that are sure to prevent tragedies – they are: Block, Watch and Learn.
Block - Make sure all access to your pool area is blocked off. This could be a fence, pool cover or some blocking device around the perimeter of the pool. It is also important to prevent small children from getting to the pool. Using extra locks on all doors leading to the pool area and blocking any doggie doors exits will keep them indoors and safe.
Watch - Keep eye-to-eye contact with those in the pool. Do not leave the pool area at any time. Staying in clear view allows you to know what is going on at all times.
Learn - The city of Phoenix offers a two-week swimming lesson program for only $6 at all 29 community pools. CPR classes also are offered throughout swim season for around $20, which includes certification through the American Heart Association. These inexpensive programs are valuable resources all residents should take advance of, especially if you have a pool in your back yard or community area.
“It is important to keep your guard up all year round,” said Captain Jay Arthur with the city’s Fire Department “If you follow these three steps, a tragedy won’t happen.”
In addition, here are some important pool safety tips that will keep your family safe while enjoying the spring weather:
Last year marked the first summer season that no children under the age of 12 died in a pool-related accident. Let’s report the same statistics for this summer, but it takes the responsibility of our community and practicing “Block, Watch and Learn” to make this happen. If you have additional questions about water safety, please call the city’s Water Safety Hotline at 602-534-POOL (7665).
Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Neely represents District 2, which includes most of northeast Phoenix. She can be reached at 602-262-7445 or through e-mail at council.district.2@phoenix.gov.
