Beaches, pools, and lakeside vacations are just part of summertime fun so when the weather heats up we all head to the water. But when we do, we need to always remember to stay vigilant…especially if we’re with children.
Drowning happens in an instant and the statistics are STAGGERING…
- Both AGE and GENDER can put a child at risk. Children ages 1-4 have the greatest risk of drowning followed by teens ages 10-19.
- Drowning is the #1 cause of accidental death in children ages 1 to 4.
- Boys drown at almost twice the rate of girls.
- Ten people drown EVERYDAY in the United States.
If a child doesn’t make it to Kindergarten, the number one PREVENTABLE reason is drowning.
Drowning is Silent, Awareness is Power!
UNDERSTAND THE RISKS!
- Always remember that drowning happens when children are both expected to be around the water and not expected to be around the water. The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission indicated 69% of children younger than 5 were not expected to be at or in the pool at the time of the drowning incident.
- Keep in mind that 88% of children who drown are in the presence of one or more adults.
- Never forget that drowning is SILENT and takes less than 4 minutes.
- Remind yourself that most drownings happen because there is only a MOMENTARY LAPSE IN ATTENTION NOT A TOTAL LACK OF IT.
WHAT CAN PARENTS DO TO REDUCE THE RISK?
Here are 7 lifesaving steps to keep your child safe…
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- DESIGNATE AT LEAST ONE ADULT AS A “WATER WATCHER”
- Make sure this person isn’t distracted with ANY other activities…NONE!
- The ONLY thing they do is watch the people in the water.
- “REALLY” TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT WATER SAFETY
- Talk to your child BEFORE they get in the water. Every. Single. Time.
- Make sure they understand where they are allowed to go and where they are not allowed go.
- Teach them to always ask an adult first before getting into a body of water whether that is a pool, a lake or an ocean.
- TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WATER’S DEPTH AND THEIR HEIGHT
- Your child should know how to read the numbers on the side of a pool deck relative to their individual height. An 9-year-old boy should know 4 feet of water doesn’t cover his head entirely but does come up to his eyes and covers his airway. Don’t assume children know how deep the water is at a pool or especially at a lake or a beach.
- This might be intuitive to an adult, but it is NOT to a child. Teach them so they can be safe.
- CHOOSE LIFE JACKETS OVER WATER WINGS
- Use only coast guard approved vests and put them on children (and adults) who can’t swim no matter what.
- BEACH VISITS, POOL PARTIES, LAKESIDE VACATIONS MEAN INCREASED RELAXATION AND INCREASED RISK
- Vacations are meant for spending time with friends and family in a casual atmosphere often near the beach, pool or lake. DON’T put your child at risk by letting your guard down and forgetting to follow safe practices.
- Pool owners should install four-sided fencing with a self-latching and self-closing gate that totally isolates the pool from the house and yard BUT don’t assume the owner has put in the necessary safeguards. ALWAYS check for yourself.
- UNDERSTAND WHY THE BACK FLOAT IS THE ULTIMATE WATER SURIVIVAL SKILL
- Never assume a child who can submerge under water or who can swim can float on their back. This is a common misconception. Floating on your back is the safest place to be in the water as then you can call out for help.
- SIGN YOUR CHILD UP FOR SWIM LESSONS that start with teaching water survivaland how to float on their back first and then move into formal stroke development.
- START FORMAL SWIM LESSONS EARLY – The American Academy of Pediatrics revised safe swimming guidelines say children can start formal instruction as early as 1. You can read more about that by visiting:
- DESIGNATE AT LEAST ONE ADULT AS A “WATER WATCHER”
Who we are:
British Swim School Tri-County offers Premium Swim Lessons for babies 3 months or older, young children and adults. We proudly serve the cities, towns & communities of Blue Ash, Colerain, Evendale, Fairfield, Forest Park, Glendale, Mason, Oakley, Sharonville, Springdale, West Chester, Wyoming. (513) 445-3600 to enroll, or FIND A CLASS online.