Water Safety
Drowning claims the lives of over 4,000 people every year. Although all
age groups are represented, children 0-4 have the highest death rate
due to drowning.
In 1998, 500 children under the age of five drowned. Most drowning and
near-drowning happen when a child falls into a pool or is left alone in
the bathtub. The National Safety Council encourages adults to establish
and adhere to strict water safety rules.
Safety Tips
Never leave a child alone near water-at the pool, the beach or in the
tub-a tragedy can occur in seconds. If you must leave, take your child
with you.
Always use approved personal floatation devices (life jackets.) The
U.S. Coast Guard estimates nearly 9 of 10 drowning victims were not
wearing one.
Beware of neighborhood pools-be it your own or your neighbors. Remove
toys from in and around the pool when not in use. Toys can attract
children to the pool.
For pools, barriers can offer added protection against drowning. Power
or manual covers will completely cover a pool and block access to the
water, however, be sure to drain any standing water from the surface of
the pool cover as a child can drown in very small amounts of water.
Enroll children over age three in swimming lessons taught by qualified
instructors. But keep in mind that lessons don't make your child
"drown-proof."
Older children risk drowning when they overestimate their swimming ability or underestimate the water depth.
Teach your children these four key swimming rules:
- Always swim with a buddy.
- Don't dive into unknown bodies of water. Jump feet first to avoid hitting your head on a shallow bottom.
- Don't push or jump on others.
- Be prepared for an emergency.
- Never consume alcohol when operating a boat.
Always
have a first-aid kit and emergency phone contacts handy. Parents should
be trained in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
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