Fences are a big help, the study concluded, but only 19 per cent of pool-related drowning in 1994 would have been prevented with adequate fencing. The study was conducted by doctors and researchers at the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Public Health Service, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

A telephone survey found that 18.5 million American households owned or had access to an outdoor swimming pool, and 76 per cent (13.9 million) of them appeared to have had adequate fencing. Of the 466 pool-related drownings in 1994 for children under 5, only 88 would have been prevented if all residential pools were properly fenced, the survey results.

“Thus, additional strategies to prevent drowning will be needed,” the study concluded.

Though surprised by the findings, “I don't think we're supposed to trash the idea of isolation pool safety fencing as a safety mechanism,” says Christine Branche, director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

She believes there should be a scientific evaluation of the barrier protection afforded by safety pool covers, both as primary barriers and in combination with isolation fencing. “I have always said that we need to encourage the research community to address this gap,” she says.

She and the other researchers are adamant that caretakers be educated about water safety, including the importance of constant supervision, the need for a telephone and rescue equipment poolside, and the value of CPR training. In addition, caretakers should remove toys from the pool after use so children are not tempted to retrieve them.

“Although urging parents and care-givers to be vigilant when supervising children playing in recreational water is important, it is insufficient to prevent all drowning,” the study says.