Nothing says summer like water!!! Taking a dip in the pool, going to the splash park, trips to the beach, floating the river, boating or just playing in the a wading pool. Water however poses one of the season’s biggest safety hazards. Sorry to say, the National Safety Council says that children under four have the highest death rate due to drowning and 64% of theses deaths happen in the summer months.
Constant supervision is the key to safety. Don’t let your kids near water unless you have the time to watch them, no matter what your child’s skill level is and no matter how deep the water is. When it comes to protecting children from drowning, nothing works better than good old fashioned vigilance. If you sunning, reading a book or talking to another parent, then you are not actively supervising. Do not totally relax even if there is a life guard on duty. Even a few seconds of inattention can lead to disaster for children around water.
Here’s a few safety tips:
1. Enroll children in a water safety course early but keep in mind
that the American Academy of Pediatrics says most kids aren’t
ready for swimming lessons until after their
fourth birthday.
2. Do not allow children who cannot swim to use inflatable toys
such as water wings or mattresses unless you are in the water
with them. When boating everyone should use approved life
jackets ALL the time.
3. If you have your own pool you need to create and enforce
safety rules.
4. Take a CPR course; it could save your child’s life!
5. Never leave kids alone near water and keep a watchful eye on
them at all times even if you are at a public pool with a life
guard on duty. Encourage children to watch out for
each other too.
6. Be respectful of the ocean and beach because conditions can
change rapidly and become dangerous.
Also realize that children are fascinated with water and can get a little too excited. Don’t rely on their judgement as to their swimming ability or if they can handle deeper water. Also watch for rough play that is getting out of hand in the pool.
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