Summer Water Safety

Why is drowning so prominent in this age category? We know that typically most drowning deaths in children are due to children being unattended for even a short moment of time. It takes less than two minutes for a child to lose consciousness. This is approximately the same amount of time it takes you to answer the phone. Drowning is a "silent event" and even though you may believe you will hear your child or a child in distress that is not true in the case of drowning.

Here are some tips that you can apply during visits to the swimming pool or on that summer outing and spending time around water with your kids.

• Never leave children alone in or near water.
• Never rely on a personal flotation device or swimming lessons to protect a child.
• Empty or turn over wading pools, buckets or similar containers immediately after use.
• Learn CPR and keep rescue equipment, and emergency numbers readily available.
• Enroll children in swimming classes by a qualified instructor.
• Enclose your pool or spa with a four-sided fencing at least 5 feet high with self-closing or self-latching gates.
• Pay attention to the water itself. Be aware of undercurrents and the changing nature of the lake or ocean where you swim.