THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE IS STRESSING SAFETY WHEN CHILDREN ARE NEAR WATER THIS SUMMER.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, 69 PERCENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN WHO WERE FOUND DROWNED OR SUBMERGED IN SWIMMING POOLS WEREN’T EXPECTED TO BE IN OR AT THE POOL. FIRE MARSHAL SPOKESPERSON J-C FULTZ SAYS THAT’S WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO KIDS WHEN THEY ARE NEAR WATER. ADDITIONALLY…

FULTZ SAYS KIDS SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO STAY AWAY FROM ANY POOL DRAINS AND THAT DRAIN COVERS SHOULD MEET FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS.

FULTZ SAYS POOLS SHOULD HAVE A FENCE AROUND THEM WITH A SELF-CLOSING, SELF-LATCHING GATE AND DRAIN COVERS SHOULD MEET FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS. SMALL INFLATABLE POOLS SHOULD BE EMPTIED AT THE END OF THE DAY.