BankAtlantic’s Community Bulletin Board: Backyard Swimming Pool Safety Tips
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. – August 4, 2009 – BankAtlantic, Florida’s Most Convenient Bank, announced its Community Bulletin Board: Backyard Swimming Pool Safety Tips.
A recent study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission indicates home swimming pool drowning accidents are the number one killer of children age 5 years and younger in Florida, Arizona, and California, and number two cause of death nationwide. Recent statistics also indicate:
• 65% of the accidents were in a pool owned by the child's family
• 69% of the accidents occurred while one or both parents were responsible for supervision
• 46% of the children were last seen in the house prior to being found in the pool and 77% of the children had been seen 5 minutes or less before being missed and subsequently discovered in the pool
“The saddest statistic is that approximately 69% of drowning incidents involving young children occurred when parental supervision failed and there were no other ‘backup safety layers’ in use," commented Jarett Levan, CEO of BankAtlantic. “With a focus on safety, we can help avoid these tragedies and make every backyard pool a safe haven of fun for the children in our community.”
Here is a checklist of some of the things you can do to help be safe:
• Think “Layers of Protection”:
o All residential pools should be completely enclosed by a fence that stands at least four feet high.
o Fence gates should be self-closing and self-latching. The latch should be out of a child’s reach.
o Never prop open a fence or pool gate.
o Keep patio furniture away from the fence so that youth can’t climb on it to boost themselves over the fence.
o With above-ground pools, secure and lock steps and ladders leading from the ground to the pool or remove them completely when the pool is not being used.
o Install door and various alarms including a door alarm when the pool gate is opened, wrist alarm bands alarms when kids get wet, and a pool alarm when objects over ten pounds fall into the water.
o Learn CPR and rescue techniques.
Additional safety tips include:
• Never leave your child alone or out of eye contact while he or she is in or near the pool.
• During social gatherings at or near a pool, appoint a "designated watcher".
• Children under age three should be kept within arm’s reach of an adult while in or about the pool
• Keep a phone poolside so you won’t have to leave children unsupervised when you make or answer a call.
• Always use approved personal-flotation devices, rather than inflatable toys, to keep your child afloat.
• Do not consider young children to be “drown proof” because they have had swimming lessons.
• Remove toys from, in, and around the pool when you’re not using them. Toys can attract young children to the pool.
• Prohibit diving in shallow water and in all above-ground pools. Diving into shallow water can result in cervical spine injuries causing permanent paralysis.
• Stay out of the pool during a thunderstorm.
• Discuss pool rules, safety measures and procedures, water depths, etc., with your guests before they enter the water.
• Instruct babysitters about potential pool hazards and use of protective devices and emphasize the need for constant supervision.
• Babysitters and other care takers should also know CPR. If you own a pool, insist that all adults in your family, babysitters, and other care takers learn and know CPR.
BankAtlantic’s Community Bulletin Board:
Backyard Swimming Pool Safety Tips is a good start. However, for more complete safety information, please contact your community or county Department of Health, the Florida Department of Health, or consumer information and tips from your local swimming pool association.
About BankAtlantic:
BankAtlantic, “Florida’s Most Convenient Bank”, is one of the largest financial institutions headquartered in Florida. Via its broad network of community branches, online banking division - BankAtlantic.com, and conveniently located ATMs, BankAtlantic provides a full line of personal, small business and commercial banking products and services. BankAtlantic is open 7 days a week with extended weekday hours, Free Online Banking & Bill Pay, a 7-Day Customer Service Center and Change Exchange coin counters.
BankAtlantic Bancorp (NYSE: BBX) is a bank holding company and the parent company of BankAtlantic.
BankAtlantic, Florida’s Most Convenient Bank, Contact Info:
Media Relations:
Sharon Lyn Telephone: 954-940-6383
Fax: 954-940-5320
Email: CorpComm@BankAtlanticBancorp.com
Public Relations for BankAtlantic:
Rbb Public Relations
Sandra Fine
Telephone: 305-567-0535, Fax: 305-448-5027
Email: sandra.fine@rbbpr.com
BankAtlantic Bancorp Contact Info:
Leo Hinkley, Media and Investor Relations Officer
Telephone: (954) 940-5300
Email: InvestorRelations@BankAtlanticBancorp.com
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The matters discussed herein are meant as a public service reminder and a general summary of backyard swimming pool safety suggestions, are not exclusive, and should not be considered an all inclusive or complete list of steps, procedures, items, suggestions or ideas related to or needed towards backyard swimming pool usage. You should seek the advice of a professional and utilize the recommendations of the authorities which includes but is not limited to your local community or county Department of Health, the Florida Department of Health, or consumer information and tips from your local swimming pool association. Actual results or professional recommendations could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the statements contained herein, and the Company cautions that the foregoing factors are not exclusive.
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