Summertime Safety
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Enjoying beautiful days filled with sunshine is fun. Water play falls hand-in-hand with the hot summer. It only takes seconds for a child to slip into water without a parent or caregiver noticing.
The scariest summer danger is also one that is the most fun. Drowning is responsible for the most unintended deaths in children ages 1-4 years old each year. This thought may be frightening, but there are ways to help your child enjoy summertime safely with peace of mind.
limit access with a fence and locking gate around any pool or body of water.
The first layer of protection is limiting access to pools and bodies of water. Make sure that all in-ground pools have a fence with a locking gate. A common practice in summer is small kiddie-sized pools in our neighborhood yards, with water left in them. Most of these small pools do not have a fence or a gate. A neighbor may not know the risk of a few inches of water to an unattended child. It takes as little as two inches of water for a child to drown. Set an example by emptying your kiddie pool, and help educate others in your community about the risk.
Formal Swim Lessons reduce the Risk of Drowning by 88%.
The next layer of protection is to be prepared. How do you prepare your child for the case that they may find themselves in inches to feet of water? Even if you think your child does not have access to water, the national drowning statistics show that they really do. The way to protect your child is to get them involved in formal swimming lessons. A child that takes formal swimming lessons is 88% less likely to drown. Also, talking with your child about respecting water, and the risks, is very important. Discussing the safety risk with neighbors and other caretakers will help them become more aware of the safety risk this summer.
U.S. Coast Guard Approved Labels are printed inside each lifevest or Jacket. Be sure to check for the seal of approval.
When swimming in a pool or other body of water it is important to have your child wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved Life Jacket. Always keep your child within arm’s length of an adult.
We all want to have a fun summer. Remember that safety comes first. You can help your family to have a fun and safe summer too.
Make sure your pool is empty while not in use, and telling others to do the same could save lives.
Making sure any pool/body of water is secure with a fence and lock is so important.
Introduce your child to the lifesaving skill of swimming in formal lessons. It is priceless.
Having proper safety equipment (U.S. Coast Guard approved) and the right supervision will keep your child safe.
Stay alert and stay safe.
