Drowning is responsible for more deaths among children age 1-4 than any other cause except congenital anomalies (birth defects)
Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide.
About one in five people who die from drowning are children age 14 and younger with the highest rate being among children ages 1-4 year old.
Emergency departments treat about 6,400 drownings in children younger than age 15 every year.
Emergency departments treat about 6,400 drownings in children younger than age 15 every year.
Safety Tips and Practices around Water
Education
Teach your child that the pool area is strictly off limits to any type of game.
Teach children to play safe and walk around the pool.
Find age-appropriate swim lessons for your child, but keep in mind that lessons do not make your child “drown-proof”
CPR Certification
Everyone, including parents, caregivers and older children, should learn CPR and safe rescue techniques to respond to a drowning incident.
Always have a first aid kit and emergency contacts handy.
Undivided Attention
Whenever your toddler is in or near water, give them your undivided attention.
Avoid doing anything that would make it hard to stay focused, such as using your cell phone, doing yard work, or drinking alcohol.
During swim time, get in the water with your toddler.
Lifeguards aren’t babysitters; always keep your eyes on your child.
It is important that everyone who has responsibility for caring for your child is educated about water safety.
If you need to get out of the water, take your child with you, even if lifeguards are present.
Always swim with a buddy.
Fencing in pool area
The fence should be at least 4-feet high.
Have no opening under it or between slats that are more than 4 inches wide.
Have a self-closing and self-latching gate that opens away from the pool.
Have a latch at least 54 inches from the ground.
Keep the gate locked at all times and check it frequently to be sure it works.
Alarms
Make sure all doors and windows leading to the pool are locked and alarmed.
Pool alarms can be purchased that sound an alert if the water surface is broken.
Many home security systems can also be programmed to sound an alarm if the patio doors that give access to the pool are opened.
Toys
Remove floats, balls and other toys from the pool and surrounding area immediately after use so children are not tempted to enter the pool area unsupervised.
Avoid any type of flotation toys, such as noodles, inflatable rings, puddle jumpers etc., that teach your child to trust the wrong posture in the water.
Other Water Hazards
Bird baths, fountains, and ponds can be a hazard with young children. Consider holding off on installing or using them until your child is older.
Make sure all wells, irrigation, or drainage ditches are covered or have proper fencing.
Don’t underestimate the power of water; even rivers and lakes can have undertows.
Boating
Make sure that when the child wears a life jacket it has them float in a proper and safe position.
Children skilled in the Swim-Float-Swim method can even find it difficult to rotate onto their backs or an upright position.
Practicing wearing and floating in the life jacket prior to a first trip out on a boat.
Never consume alcohol when operating a boat, and always make sure everyone is wearing U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
Beaches
Watch for dangerous waves and signs of rip currents.
If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore. Once free of the current, swim diagonally toward shore.
Remain within 10 feet of your child at all times.
Dress your child in bright colors so it is easy to spot the child in a large crowd.
Take a picture of your child in their swim attire. That way if your child goes missing, you can share the current picture.
Drowning and Water Safety in the News
Resources
http://www.HealthyChildren.org
https://www.cdc.gov/safechild/drowning/index.html