Did you know that drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1–4? Most of these accidents take place at a child’s home or at the home of a family, friend or neighbor during the summer months.
More than half of those drownings happen during a gap in adult supervision. “It’s easy to be more distracted now than ever, and things can happen in the blink of an eye,” says Jill Lucas-Drakeford, Carilion Children's Safe Kids Coordinator.
And it’s not just pools that you have to worry about—a child can drown in less than two inches of water. So how can we make sure our little ones stay safe while enjoying some outdoor fun? Follow these tips:
- Never leave a child unattended in or near water. Choose an adult to be the “water watcher”—don’t assume that someone else is doing the watching. The water watcher should be within arm’s length and shouldn’t be reading, using their phone or otherwise distracted or impaired.
- Remove water from kiddie pools, tubs and buckets after use. Empty kiddie pools and containers right after use and store them upside down so they don’t collect water. Not only will this help keep your kids safe, but it will also keep your neighborhood pets and animals safe from unwanted swims. Bonus: no mosquito breeding!
- Fence and secure swimming pools. Completely surround your pool with a fence that’s at least 4 feet high with no gaps wider than 4 inches. Cover and lock hot tubs, spas and whirlpools when they’re not in use.
- Use proper flotation devices. While water wings and noodles are fun toys for kids, never use them in place of a U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation device, such as a life jacket.
- Learn CPR. Even if emergency medical services (EMS) are on the way, starting CPR before EMS arrives greatly increases the chance of recovery. The National CPR Foundation and American Red Cross both offer online CPR training.
Drowning happens quickly and quietly, so it's important to give children your full attention while they're playing in or near water. Even when it’s not swim time, be mindful when visiting places with pools or waterfronts. And remember to apply and reapply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher for all-day backyard fun.
Looking to level up your child’s water safety skills this summer? Carilion Wellness offers swim lessons! Call today to sign up:
Botetourt: 540-992-2993
Roanoke: 540-989-5758
