​ Author: National Safety Council
​
Not including boating incidents, on average about 10 people die from drowning every day in the United States, according to Injury Facts® the annual statistical report on unintentional injuries produced by the National Safety Council.

Pool Safely This Summer; Take the Pledge
NSC and the Consumer Product Safety Commission are encouraging everyone to keep water safety top of mind and reduce child drowning in pools and spas. The Pool Safely campaign reminds everyone to follow five simple steps to stay safer in and around water.
More than 75,000 adults and children have signed the Pool Safely Pledge last summer. Take the Pledge today and get a free Pool Safely Toolkit.
The USA Swimming Foundation reports nearly 90 children younger than 15 drowned in a pool or spa from January through May 2018, and every year about 19 children drown during the July 4 holiday. CPSC also reports:

• 74% of drowning incidents for children younger than 15 between 2015 and 2017 occurred in residential locations
• Boys younger than 15 die from drowning at twice the rate as girls
• 351 children younger than 15 died in pools and spas in 2015
• Emergency departments treat about 6,400 pool and spa injuries in children younger than 15 every year

Teens and Young Adults Often Don't Think About Water Safety
While drowning deaths peak among one and two year olds, drownings continue to be the second leading cause of preventable death through age 15. According to NSC research, 353 people ages 5 to 24 drowned in 2017.
Swimmers should keep a few safety precautions in mind:

• Don't go in the water unless you know how to swim; swim lessons are available for all ages
• Never swim alone
• Learn CPR and rescue techniques
• Make sure the body of water matches your skill level; swimming in a pool is much different than swimming in a lake or river, where more strength is needed to handle currents
• If you do get caught in a current, don't try to fight it; stay calm and float with it, or swim parallel to the shore until you can swim free
• Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard
• Don't push or jump on others
• Don't dive in unfamiliar areas
• Never drink alcohol when swimming; alcohol is involved in about half of all male teen drownings, according to KidsHealth.org

The Younger the Child, the Greater the Risk

Most parents think water safety is first and foremost on their minds whenever they are enjoying summer activities with their young kids. But when the unthinkable happens, caregivers often say, “I only looked away for a second.”
NSC statistics point to drowning as a leading cause of death for young children – mostly due to children falling into a pool or being left alone in the bathtub. Of the 3,709 drownings in 2017, more than 12% were children age 4 and younger, according to Injury Facts. Bathtubs, toilets and even buckets also can pose a danger for very young children.
Distractions Make for Tragedies
Parents are cautioned all the time about water safety, but drownings still occur. Always be aware and be in the present moment with your children. Following are a few water safety precautions:

• Never leave your child alone; if you have to leave, take your child with you
• Find age-appropriate swim lessons for your child, but keep in mind that lessons do not make your child "drown-proof"
• Lifeguards aren't babysitters; always keep your eyes on your child
• Don't let children play around drains and suction fittings
• Never consume alcohol when operating a boat, and always make sure everyone is wearing U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets
• Don't underestimate the power of water; even rivers and lakes can have undertows
• Always have a first aid kit and emergency contacts handy
• Get training in CPR
• If a child is missing, check the water first

Every pool, every lake and every warm summer day holds the possibility of new, fun summer experiences. All you need to add is your undivided attention.
 

​ 
Greetings ASSP Safety Community!
I am very happy to be writing my first President’s Message to all of you.  It was fifteen years ago that I attended my first ASSE meeting at Black Bear Diner with one of my safety mentors, Mary Hoskins.  That was before the name change to ASSP with “E” standing for Engineers instead of the current “P” for Professionals.  I cannot even describe how intimidated I was, I was not an engineer!  And at the time I was a Human Resources Manager that had been given safety responsibilities due to cutbacks in the wood products industry when the housing bubble broke in 2008.  So, not only was I not an engineer I also did not consider myself a knowledgeable safety professional.  I was so nervous I am not sure I heard any of the meeting as all I could hear was my heart pounding.  I could not wait to get out of there!
Fast forward three years and I attended my second ASSP meeting at the Red Lion.  I was working for a new organization and was looking for a safety professional for my team.  In those three years I gained more safety knowledge and credibility and was really able to engage in the meeting.  I was impressed with the professionalism and sense of community.  True care and respect was evident and the fellowship was very welcoming.  Shortly thereafter I became a member, with pride.  Not only did I find a safety professional for my team, I found a venue to learn and grow professionally and to build relationships with people I now consider friends.
The following year I was asked to join the Executive Committee to fill the role of Treasurer.  While my career was in HR and Safety, my educational back ground was in Accounting.  I love numbers and took to the role immediately, it felt so good to flex my accounting muscles again.  I spent the next eight years as Treasurer refining our accounting and budgeting practices with the help and support of the  Executive Committee.  Last year I decided I wanted to broaden my horizons and moved into the Vice President role anticipating becoming President for our 2023-2024 year.
I have learned so much serving on the Executive Committee.  Every year the make-up of the group changes slightly as new members move in and others move out.  Despite these changes so much stays the same.  True collaboration with the guiding principle of serving our safety community, psychological safety that fosters constructive dissent and reaching consensus, safety professionals that are generous with their time and selflessly volunteer.  I never imagined I would get so much back from volunteering my time.  And serving on the Conference Planning Committee has been even more fulfilling. 
We are holding our first full three day Southern Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Conference since 2019 due to the pandemic.  It will be held at Ashland Hills Event Center October 17-19.  I am so excited to see familiar faces and meet new attendees to the event.  And special thanks to Mike Hill and David Hanson along with the Conference Planning Committee for continuing to serve our safety community during the pandemic by providing online events in 2020 and 2021 and a hybrid conference in 2022.  With Mike’s assistance we also pivoted to virtual monthly meetings immediately starting in April 2020 in order to consistently serve our safety community.
 
In closing, I urge you to grasp opportunities to be part of the Southern Oregon safety community.  Join one of the monthly meetings, attend the Executive Committee prior to the monthly meeting to learn how the gears of the Executive Committee turn, and please join us at the Conference.  What you give will come back to you exponentially.  Thank you so much for being a part of our safety community and sharing the passion for protecting the safety of so many.  Hope to see you in October if not sooner!
 

​
Patti McGuire, Chapter President