Staying Safe While in the Water

Pools, lakes, ponds, and beaches can be exciting opportunities for summer fun and can offer cool relief from hot weather. But water also can be dangerous for children if you don't take the proper precautions. Nearly 1,000 kids die each year by drowning. And most drownings occur in home swimming pools.

The good news is there are plenty of steps you can take to keep your kids safe in the water and make sure that they take the right precautions when they're on their own.

How Can I Keep My Child Safe?

Kids need constant supervision around water - whether the water is in a bathtub, a wading pool, an ornamental fish pond, a swimming pool, a spa, the beach, or a lake.

Young children are especially vulnerable - they can drown in less than 2 inches (6 centimeters) of water. That means drowning can happen where you'd least expect it - the sink, the toilet bowl, fountains, buckets, inflatable pools, or small bodies of standing water around your home, such as ditches filled with rain water. Always watch children closely when they're in or near any water.

It's a good idea to learn to swim, and if your child is older than 4 years, have your child learn to swim, too (check the local recreation center for classes taught by qualified instructors). Don't assume, however, that just because your child knows how to swim, your child isn't at risk for drowning. It's important to supervise your children while they are in the water, no matter what their swimming skill levels.

Invest in proper-fitting, Coast Guard-approved flotation devices (life vests) and use them whenever a child is near water. Check the weight and size recommendations on the label, then have your child try it on to make sure it fits snugly. For kids who are younger than 5 years old, choose a vest with a strap between the legs and head support - the collar will keep the child's head up and face out of the water. Inflatable vests and arm devices such as water wings are not effective protection against drowning.

At Home and at the Pool

Water safety precautions start in the home.

The bathroom is full of dangers for a young child. Never leave a young child unattended in the bathroom, especially while bathing - even if the child appears to be well propped in a safety tub or bath ring. Put away all hair dryers and other electrical appliances to avoid the risk of electrocution.

Hot water can also be dangerous, particularly for kids who are younger than the age of 5.
Young children have thinner skin than older kids and adults, which means they burn more easily. Just 3 seconds of exposure to hot tap water that's 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) can give a child a third-degree burn.

You can reduce the risk of scalding by turning the water heater thermostat in your home down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) and by always testing the water with your wrist or elbow before placing your child in the bath.

Outside the home, your awareness can go a long way in preventing accidents. Find out where the water hazards in your neighborhood are. Who has a pool or water spa? Where are the retaining ponds or creeks that may attract children? Make neighbors who have pools aware that you have a young child and ask them to keep their gates locked.