As we enter the hot summer months and use our swimming pools more, great concern should be given to the safety of children. Each year, the Levittown Fire Department responds to accidents around pools.

The 2001 Issue of Accident Facts, published by the National Safety Council indicated that death from drowning among children ages 14 and younger is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in this age group and the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4.

Drowning usually occurs quickly and silently. Childhood drownings and near-drownings can happen in a matter of seconds and typically occur when a child is left unattended or during a brief lapse in supervision.

The majority of children who drown in swimming pools were last seen in the home, had been missing from sight for less than five minutes and were in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning.

The above data obtained from the Foundation for aquatic injury prevention - www.aquaticisf.org.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers suggestions for Pool Safety for Children, their website is www.aap.org. Some of their recommendations are:

Never leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. Don't be distracted by doorbells, phone calls, chores or conversations. If you must leave the pool area, take the child with you, making sure the pool gate latches securely when it closes.

Keep rescue equipment such as a life preserver and a telephone by the pool.

After the pool is used, it should be secured so that children are prevented from getting back into it.

Some additional pool safety suggestions are:

Instruct babysitters about potential pool hazards to young children and about the use of protective devices, such as door alarms and latches. Emphasize the need for constant supervision. Be sure the person watching your child knows how to swim, to get help and perform CPR.

If a child is missing, check the pool first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom and surface.

Remember, teaching your child how to swim does not mean your child is safe in water.

Don't assume that drowning or a drowning incident couldn't happen to you or your family. Have a very safe and fun summer.