Owners Can Prevent Pool Tragedies With Constant Vigilance

In response to Jim Landis’ commentary on pool safety (“Hold Pool Owners to Higher Standard of Safety Than Others,” June 16): You are wrong! Responsible adults can make sure children don’t drown in pools.

You can watch them 100% of the time, while they are out back by the pool. You don’t leave; you have an adult watching the swimmers, or if you have to leave, the kids go with you or something--but you don’t leave kids alone.

My parents have a pool. They raised three of us with countless friends without a drowning incident. They have raised six grandchildren from babies to teens without one close incident.

Why? Because the adults in charge were responsible. The doors had high latches so they couldn’t be opened unless you were tall. The children were never left unattended. Yardwork wasn’t done with the children present, phones weren’t answered, etc.

Leaving a child alone in a back-yard pool area, even for a few seconds, is no reason to call for legislation regulating pool fences, etc. If more parents held themselves accountable for their children’s actions and safety, there might not be pool drownings, shooting accidents, gang wars, drug crimes. . . . Stop looking for legislation to solve your problems.

MELINDA MOORE, Orange