Youngster’s death in pool sparks safety warning

Advocates speak out after two weekend accidents

After two tragic accidents in backyard swimming pools in Hamilton and the GTA on the weekend, safety advocates are urging the public to be vigilant as the weather heats up.

On Saturday night, parents of a 4year-old boy found their son dead in the backyard swimming pool. Police told the Hamilton Spectator that the parents may have been distracted and lost track of their son.

On Friday, a 20-year-old babysitter was found without vital signs after being pulled out of a backyard swimming pool in a home near Davis Dr. and Leslie St. It’s not known how and why the woman got into the pool, but she was pulled out of the water by first responders after the 4-year-old girl she was babysitting called 911. She remains in life-threatening condition.

About 160 people of all ages die from drowning in Ontario every year, Barbara Byers, public education director for the Toronto-based Lifesaving Society, said. Backyard pools account for 10 per cent of those deaths, with children younger than 5 most vulnerable.

To prevent such accidents, Shelley Makepeace, a swimming and water safety representative with Red Cross, said it is paramount to follow municipal laws on fencing of backyards pools. Not only should the gate be fenced but it should be accessible only by an adult, she said.

“(Children) are curious, inquisitive, active and if they see a pool and sparkling water, they really want to get there because it is so inviting and appealing,” she said.

Byers said Hollywood movies show people screaming when they are drowning but that is not how it happens in real life. The reality is when a person is drowning, water enters their airway, which renders them unable to speak. “When a person is drowning, there’s silence,” she said.

In a pool area — especially with children — parents or caregivers should have their eyes on them 100 per cent of the time, and they need to be within arm’s reach, she said.

It’s also important to watch the face and eyes of people in a pool, she said because you can see fear or happiness in their eyes or on their face.

It’s not just children who are vulnerable.

Immigrants are at greater risk of drowning than others, she said.

One of the first steps they should take, Byers said, is to learn how to swim, considering Canada has numerous water bodies.

Byers also cautioned people not to be alone or drink alcohol when swimming.

Amongst those people who drown, about 30 per cent of the victims had alcohol in their systems, she said.

Another safety tip Byers has is that if you’re tired and in the deep end of the pool, it’s best to float on your back to help keep your face out of the water.