Water Safety

Pools, lakes and beaches can provide endless enjoyment for kids and their families during the warmer, summer months. Like most responsible parents you probably keep a close eye on your children when they are in or near the water and yet, the majority of drownings happen in swimming pools or other open water sites. Often, the victim was under the supervision of one or more of his or her parents – but it can happen so quickly!

When kids are in trouble in the water they are silent. They don’t splash and shout for help, they simply slip under the water soundlessly. Once under the water, they will lose consciousness after only 2 short minutes. The risk of death or lasting brain damage increases after 4 minutes of submersion, which is why the American Red Cross recommends staying within reach so that if your child is in danger, you can simply reach out your arm and assist him or her.

Did you know that children under 4 years of age can drown in less than one inch of water? Our youngest of children are at the greatest risk. They are vulnerable in bathtubs and can even drown in a toilet or in a mop bucket with very little water it in. Remaining vigilant in our supervision of our younger children is paramount. Installing a toilet safety lock, dumping buckets as soon as cleaning is finished and staying in the bathroom when our kids are in the tub are all very important habits to establish.

 
Statistics

According to the Center for Disease Control approximately nine people drown each day, more than 3,000 children under the age of 14 drown each year and more than 15,000 children receive emergency room care due to water related injuries. Sadly, a full 15% of these children later die at the hospital and 20% of the kids admitted to the hospital will suffer permanent brain damage.

Children drown or are injured in pools, lakes and other open water sites. Older children especially are at risk of water-related injuries when boating. During 2002 sixteen kids under 14 years of age drowned in boating related accidents. Sadly, nearly 45% of these kids were not wearing a life jacket.

 
Water Safety Checklist

____ Teach kids to ask permission before they enter the water.
____ Remember children slip underwater without a sound. A brief lapse in supervision can prove deadly.
____ Keep your child within your sight at all times when they are in or near the water.
____ Stay within reach of your child when they are in or near the water.
____ Swim with a buddy. Teach your child to always swim with a friend or family member. Never swim alone.
____ Get out of the water immediately at the sound of thunder or if you see lightening.
____ Always swim in the daylight, never at night.
____ Keep very young children away from buckets. Empty buckets of all liquid before walking away. 5-gallon industrial buckets are especially dangerous.
____ Never give a child medicine that could cause drowsiness before engaging in water activities like swimming, boating or water skiing.
____ Keep your air passage way clear. Never eat or chew gum while in the water.
____ Learn to swim. Sign kids up for swimming classes once they are 4 years old or older.
____ Learn CPR. Kids 12 and older should also learn CPR.
____ Enter the water feet first. Never dive in water less than nine feet deep.

 
Resources for Parents and Caregivers