As summer heats up and families head to pools and beaches, water safety for children becomes crucial.
Drowning is a leading cause of death among young children, highlighting the need for vigilance and preventive measures.
According to the American Red Cross, drowning is the most common cause of death among children aged 1 to 4, excluding birth defects.
Alarmingly, children younger than 1 are more likely to drown at home, while those under 5 predominantly face drowning incidents in home pools or hot tubs.
As children grow older, lakes and ponds become more dangerous, with natural water bodies posing significant risks to those aged 5 to 17.
Fox News provided a report on essential tips to keep children safe around water this season.
Dr. Corinne Bria, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Florida, explained the critical role of awareness in preventing these tragedies.
“Drowning can happen to anyone. No one is immune to this devastation, and it’s important to know and take active steps to ensure water safety,” she told Fox News.
Here are several tips to promote water safety and prevent child drowning this summer:
- Ensure Proper Supervision
Direct and touch supervision are essential strategies in water safety.
“Touch supervision means an adult is physically in the water, holding and playing with the children,” explains Dr. Bria. Direct supervision involves a designated adult, known as a water watcher, who continuously monitors children in and around the water.
This dedicated vigilance is vital, as drowning can occur silently and within seconds.
- Choose a Proper Flotation Device
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that children always wear life jackets when near water.
U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, fitted snugly around the child’s waist, are recommended to prevent slipping out during use.
Regularly updating flotation devices as your child grows is crucial to maintaining safety.
- Use Caution Even Around Shallow Water
Shallow water is not without danger. Infants and small children can drown in as little as 2 inches of water, including bathtubs and small backyard pools.
Continuous supervision is essential, even in seemingly low-risk environments.
- Enclose All Pools with Fences
For preschool-aged children, most drownings happen in swimming pools.
Enclosing pools with a four-sided fence at least 4 feet high, featuring a self-closing, self-latching gate, is the most effective preventive measure. Making sure the fence is always securely latched further enhances safety.
- Enroll Your Child in Swim Lessons
Formal swimming lessons can reduce drowning risks by 88% for children aged 1 to 4.
Early swimming lessons equip children with essential skills, including how to keep their head above water in emergencies.
Starting lessons at a young age builds proficiency and confidence in the water.
- Act Quickly and Perform CPR
Every second counts in a drowning incident.
“Drowning is silent and very different from what we see in movies or on TV,” notes Dr. Bria.
Immediate action, including removing the child from the water and performing CPR, is critical.
For older children, use hard and fast chest compressions with the heel of your palm. For smaller children, use gentler compressions with two fingers.
Firefighter and paramedic Steve Conti highlights the importance of maintaining CPR skills.
“Your actions can truly make a difference between life and death and between full recovery and long-term disability,” he says. Regularly refreshing knowledge and skills in CPR, AED use, and water safety is essential for preparedness.
Drowning can strike any family, underscoring the need for deliberate and proactive measures to protect children.
By maintaining proper supervision, using appropriate flotation devices, exercising caution around all water bodies, enclosing pools, enrolling children in swim lessons, and being ready to act swiftly in emergencies, parents and caregivers can safeguard their children this summer.
For more information on water safety, consult your pediatrician and consider signing up for CPR and water safety courses. The effort invested today can prevent a tragedy tomorrow.