ISP warn parents about in-home drowning hazards

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - As part of Baby Safety Month, the Indiana State Police want to remind parents and caregivers about in-home drowning hazards.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an average of about 240 children under 5 years old drown in swimming pools nationwide each year. But CPSC also has reports of about 110 children under 5 who have drowned in other products in and around the home each year. These products include bathtubs, hot tubs, spas, buckets and other containers.

The Indiana State Police offer the following home drowning prevention tips:

• Young children can drown in even small amounts of water. Never leave young children alone near any water.
• Always keep a baby within arm's reach in a bathtub. Never leave to answer the phone, answer the door, get a towel or for any other reason. If you must leave, take the baby with you.
• Don't leave a baby or toddler in a bathtub under the care of another young child.
• A baby bath seat is not a substitute for supervision. A bath seat is a bathing aid, not a safety device. Babies can slip or climb out of bath seats and drown.
• Keep toilet lids down to prevent access to water. Consider using toilet clips to stop young children from opening the lids.
• Consider keeping children out of bathrooms by using bathroom door latches that are out of reach of young children.
• Never leave a bucket containing even a small amount of liquid unattended. After using a bucket, always empty and store it where young children cannot reach it. Buckets left outside can collect rainwater and are a hazard. Toddlers can fall headfirst into 4- and 5-gallon buckets and drown.
• To prevent children from gaining access to spas or hot tubs when not in use, always secure safety covers and barriers. Non-rigid covers (such as solar covers) can appear to be in place even after children slip underneath them into the water.
• Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). It can be a lifesaver when seconds count.

Baby Safety Month has been an annual event since 1991. It's goal is to raise awareness of common safety issues in the home that lead to infant mortality.