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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4 with it taking as little as five minutes submerged for a child to suffer irreversible damage.
Dayton Children’s suggests three tips for keeping your children safe when near water.
1. Have a dedicated adult water watcher who does nothing but watch the children in the water to make sure they are safe.
2. Teach children to swim. Kids as young as 4 months can be taught to flip over on their back and float. Don’t rely on “floaties.” As kids grow, swim lessons can add to their water survival skills.
3. Never let kids swim alone.
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In addition to these tips, the hospital suggests three tips for pools and three tips for open water.
For pools:
- For large backyard pools, install gates, fences or other barriers with locks.
- For smaller pools, drain after each use.
- Beware of large, inflatable, above-ground pools. Children may fall in as they lean against the soft side.
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For open water:
- Watch for hazards. Open water (lakes, rivers, oceans) can have limited visibility, sudden drop-offs, uneven surfaces, currents and undertow.
- Follow the signs. Use designated swimming areas and recreational areas. Look for posted signs about open water hazards or when lifeguards will be on duty.
- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Choose one that is right for your child’s weight and water activity.
For more information visit: https://www.childrensdayton.org/kidshealth/a/water-safety-outdoors
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