This memorial day we had a little family barbecue get together. I made schiskabobs with sausage, chicken, fresh pineapple and green peppers, and my mother-in-law made some ribs amongst a couple other things, and my mom made her sinfully delicious "Black Forest Cherry Cake" laced with vodka. Wow was it good!
We went swimming, and could hear neighbors having pool parties themselves as it seems most of the homes in our neighborhood have pools and kids! I never had a pool when I was growing up, but boy I sure do remember my dad blowing and filling up my little kiddie pool! I really loved that! Either him or my brother used to sit in a chair next to me listening to the radio. Then when I was a teenager, I would go to the nice, big library with my father, pick out a good book, and go to the big Olympic sized pool at the local military base. I would be at the swimming pool nearly every day during my summer vacation. I tell ya, those were the days, swimming and lying out by the pool with my girlfriends or just reading a really good book with not a single care in the whole.
You may be a great parent, grandparent or guardian to that special little one (or little ones), but you may just run inside to get some popsicles, a drink or the phone, and that is all it could take for a little one to be endangered and drown. My very own brother had to jump into the river I was playing in once when I was young and save me because my dad had turned his back for just a few seconds. If you have children, or have family or friends that do, here is a link you might want to check out:
http://www.poolsafety.gov
Since 2006, the state of New York has specific swimming pool alarm requirements that can be found in 19NYCRR Part 1228 or in the DOS document titled "Current Requirements for Swimming Pools contained in the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (The "Uniform Code")".
This is something that should be mandatory in all states since approximately 300 kids a year have been drowning in spas and pools annually. When you sit back and think of summer time pool fun, you want to remember that those were the days with a happy memory, rather than despair. Be sure you protect those innocent lives that depend on you. Some day they may thank you for it!
Yours In Safety,
Regina Jacques