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According to the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission, an
estimated 350 children under five years of
age drown each year in swimming pools,
many in residential pools. The Commission
estimates that another 2,600 children
under age five are treated in hospital
emergency rooms each year following
submersion incidents. Some of these
submersions result in permanent brain
damage.
Nationally, drowning is a leading cause of
death to children under five.
The key to preventing these tragedies is
to have layers of protection. This
includes placing barriers around your pool
to prevent access, using pool alarms,
closely supervising your child and being
prepared in case of an emergency. Your
Abilene Fire Department offers these tips
to prevent drowning:
- Fences and walls should be at least
4 feet high and installed completely
around the pool. Fence gates should be
self-closing and self-latching. The
latch should be out of a small child's
reach.
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- If your house forms one side of the
barrier to the pool, then doors
leading from the house to the pool
should be protected with alarms that
produce a sound when a door is
unexpectedly opened.
- A power safety cover -- a
motor-powered barrier that can be
placed over the water area -- can be
used when the pool is not in use.
- Keep rescue equipment by the pool
and be sure a portable phone is
poolside with emergency numbers
posted. Knowing cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) can be a
lifesaver.
- For above-ground pools, steps and
ladders to the pool should be secured
and locked or removed when the pool is
not in use.
- If a child is missing, always look
in the pool first. Seconds count in
preventing death or disability.
- Pool alarms can be used as an added
precaution. Underwater pool alarms
generally perform better and can be
used in conjunction with pool covers.
CPSC advises that consumers use remote
alarm receivers so the alarm can be
heard inside the house or in other
places away from the pool area.
PARENTS
AND GUARDIANS: ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT A
DROWNING. WATCH YOUR CHILD CLOSELY AT ALL
TIMES. MAKE SURE DOORS LEADING TO THE POOL
AREA ARE CLOSED AND LOCKED. YOUNG CHILDREN
CAN QUICKLY SLIP AWAY AND INTO THE POOL.
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Click Here
for
Current Texas
Burn Bans
Applications for
Abilene
Fire Department
Firefighter applications are no longer being accepted.
The application period
ended
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at 5:00 PM.
If you are interested in becoming a Firefighter with Abilene Fire
Department at a later date, the current preliminary
requirements can
be found
here.
[Click Here]
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When was the
last time you tested your smoke detectors ?
Your Abilene
Fire Department reminds you to test your detectors MONTHLY
!
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FIREWATCH
every Monday on
KRBC 9
"Abilene's First News"
during the
5:00 pm Newscast
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Emergency Notification
Click Here to Learn More about CodeRED®
To Sign Up for CodeRED®
Click Here
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Click Here |
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