For many of us, nothing sounds better than a dip in the water on a hot summer day. Here at Horizon Family Medical Group, we want to encourage you to have fun and be safe in the pool, at the beach, or by the lake. Knowing a few important water safety tips will make sure your summer fun stays fun.
Did you know that about 356 children drown every year in the U.S., or that drowning is actually the “leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1-4.” [1]
The American Red Cross has some wonderful resources on water safety. [2] The list below from the Red Cross includes just some of the tips they recommend:
Make Water Safety Your Priority
- Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
- Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone. Even at a public pool or a lifeguarded beach, use the buddy system!
- Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
Prevent Unsupervised Access to the Water
- Install and use barriers around your home pool or hot tub. Safety covers and pool alarms should be added as additional layers of protection.
- Remove any structures that provide access to the pool, such as outdoor furniture, climbable trees, decorative walls and playground equipment.
- Keep toys that are not in use away from the pool and out of sight. Toys can attract young children to the pool.
Maintain Constant Supervision
- Actively supervise kids whenever around the water—even if lifeguards are present. Do not just drop your kids off at the public pool or leave them at the beach—designate a responsible adult to supervise.
- Always stay within arm’s reach of young children and avoid distractions when supervising children around water.
Know What to Do in an Emergency. If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
- Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
- Enroll in Red Cross home pool safety, water safety, first aid and CPR/AED courses to learn how to prevent and respond to emergencies.
Poolsafely.gov also has a great infographic you can share with your family and friends about keeping your kids safe around water. [1]
Resources
- https://www.poolsafely.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/PS_Drownings-Infographic2016_v4.png
- http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety