Tragedy, Pool Safety- Pool Drain Covers

I live in Florida, and my kids would go swimming everyday. A neighbor's ten year old daughter would come to play and help watch my five year old. The five year old was an excellent swimmer, and I did not have reservations about their swimming, except for an accident. I knew that one of them would call me if anything was wrong.

As I busied myself with housework, I looked out many times and saw two heads bobbling up and down or jumping in and out. Little voices yelling, "Marco", and answering, "Polo", echoed throughout the house. The girls played a dozen games of shark, treasure and what all.

As they came into the house, I heard the crying. Her friend was carrying my Princess who was holding her tummy. Mary said that Princess had gone to the bottom and became stuck to the uncovered drain hole. Mary tried several times to pull her off the hole, and finally the suction released her. Princess' tummy had a circle of bruises and small cuts. I was horrified. Her pediatrician ran some X-rays and placed a few bandages here and there and proceeded to give me a lecture.

Hundreds of children and adults die every year from drowning because they cannot detach themselves from the suction of an uncovered drain cover. Some are cut so badly that their intestines and abdominal cavities are opened and removed from the body. I am crying and yet so thankful to her friend for pulling her up. I learned my lesson, and we do not swim without a drain cover.

As for Mary, her friend, I nominated her for a community award from one of our local foundation charities. There was an article in our local paper, and Mary received a substantial financial gift for a ten year old. She also received a Bible. Mary will never know how much she means to me.

"Little Princess" and "Mary" are both Moms with children. As a matter of fact, they are very good moms. Mary stops by occasionally, and my daughter lives a few blocks away. I know, convenient for Grandma to baby-sit.

Never take your eyes off your children. Watch them constantly. Repair the areas that they play in, and make sure you provide a safe environment. Ask a safety officer to speak at your next neighborhood meeting or go on the Internet for facts. Simple repairs save lives. Don't let your family be victims because of repairs that you did not get too.