What Parents Should Know about Water Safety and Drowning Prevention
My hope and prayer is to share tips that will help you feel more confident in caring for your kiddos, and even possibly save a life.
And the good news is, what I am going to talk to you about is 1,000% preventable.
Ok, so take a deep breath, and let’s discuss: water safety and drowning prevention for our little ones.
I know, even just reading the word ‘drowning’ probably gives you an uneasy feeling.
Maybe you know someone who has had a tragic accident, maybe you’ve witnessed a tragic accident, or maybe just the thought of drowning accidents haunt you.
Whatever it is, I’m hopeful to help you feel more confident in keeping your little ones safe, in honor of so many little ones we have lost to this kind of accident.
First, let’s name some facts:
In the United States, about 10 people die every day from drowning
Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children between 1-4 years old
Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of death for children ages 1-14, right behind car accidents
As many as 69% of young children who are found drowned or submerged in swimming pools were not expected to be in or at the pool
Drowning is silent
By age, drowning usually occurs in the following ways:
Under 12 monthsBathtubs, buckets, and toilets
Toddlers 1 - 4Pools and hot tubs
Older Kids & TeensNatural bodies of water, like lakes, rivers, and oceans
SO, HOW CAN YOU KEEP YOUR KIDDOS SAFE AROUND WATER?
AT HOME
→ Never leave a baby alone in a bathtub, not even for a second, and empty it immediately after use
→ Install locks and alarms on any doors that lead out to pool
→ Use toilet locks when you have a small child, remember they are top heavy and it only takes a little water
→ Empty ALL containers (buckets in the shower, kiddie pools outside, ect.) after each use and turn them upside down to prevent water collection
→ Never leave buckets of water outside or in the shower with babies around
AT POOL
→ Teach kids to ask permission before jumping into the pool; this ensures an adult is always present
→ Baby proof your pool: Install a pool fence that is >4 ft tall with a self latching gate that opens away from the pool, BEFORE the child is mobile
→ Install locks and alarms on all doors that lead to pool, and get rid of pet doors
→ Avoid leaving floaties or toys in the pool that might tempt kids to reach for them and fall in
→ Empty all kiddie pools after each use
→ If you can’t find your child, look in the pool FIRST, always
→ Never allow kids to swim alone, they should always be with a buddy
AT GATHERINGS
→ At large gatherings, sometimes we can think someone else is watching the kids, which makes large gatherings even more dangerous.
→ Always assign a “water watcher” this can be done designating someone specific and rotating each 15 minutes, allowing everyone to enjoy socialization, while keeping kiddos safe
→ And hey, if you’re up for it, jump in the pool with the kids!
AT THE LAKE OR OCEAN
→ Always enter water feet first
→ Don’t let kids swim without adult supervision
→ Be mindful of potentially dangerous wildlife in the water
→ In bad weather get out of the water right away
→ Life Jackets that are USCG approved should always be used on a moving vessel or when swimming in big bodies of water
Summer months mean more time in the pool, at the lake, and in the ocean -- but remember wherever there is over an inch of water there is risk for drowning with small kiddos and wherever there is a big body of water there is risk for older children, even the strongest swimmers.
So following these steps above, always having close eyes on your children around any kind of water, and teaching them to swim at an early age can help ensure you keep your kiddos safe as you enjoy water fun!
And as always, know (how and when to perform CPR) if needed. In a drowning accident those seconds after are SO crucial. Immediate high quality CPR can double or triple the child’s chance of survival. Prevention is most important, but immediate response can also save a life.
Now, deep breath. You are safe and more prepared than before. :) I am so proud of you for taking time to better yourselves for your family. Remember the good news, drowning is preventable. You got this friend!
If you’re ready to learn more about preventing and caring for medical emergencies at home, check out my digital course Mastering Medical Emergencies at Home.