Drowning is one of the most easily preventable deaths for children. Since Memorial Day weekend, over 200 children have drown or been injured at swimming pools and spas around the country according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The California Department of Developmental Services notes that drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children under five years of age.

As a result, the CPSC, working with Safe Kids USA and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, has launched the "Pool Safely" campaign to educate kids and parents on ways to stay safe around water. The goal of the program, according to Inez M. Tenenbaum, Chairman of the CPSC, is to "teach parents and children simple water safety steps so that everyone will pool safely this summer."

The campaign has two main components: A video series on youtube which explores unsafe behaviors around pools and an interactive online game aimed at children seven years of age and younger to educate them about proper pool safety.

The CPSC has also launched a website, www.poolsafely.gov, to offer tips and suggestions to keep children safe around water, including:

• Never leaving a child unattended in a pool or spa
• Always watching your child when they are in or near water
• Teaching children basic water safety tips and how to swim
• Avoiding entrapment by keeping children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings
• Having a phone close by at all times when you or your family are using a pool or spa
• If a child is missing, look for them in the pool or spa first

 The agency also recommends learning basic lifesaving techniques including how to perform CPR on both children and adults.