Water Safety

Whether you’re bathing your baby in the sink or splashing around with your toddler in the pool, water is great fun for kids. But it’s also a place where safety must come first, so here are a few tips for kids who love to get wet.

The Facts

Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children between 1 and 4 years old. And it’s the third leading cause of injury-related death among children 19 and under.

Top Tips

• Never leave your child unattended around water. We know it sounds strict, but there is no room for compromise on this one. Babies can drown in as little as one inch of water.
• Put the cell phone away, forget about all the other things you have to do and give young children 100 percent of your attention when they are near or around water.
• Empty all tubs, buckets, containers and wading pools immediately after use. Store them upside down and out of children’s reach.
• Keep toilet lids closed and use toilet seat locks to prevent drowning. It’s also a good idea to keep doors to bathrooms and laundry rooms closed.
• Parents have a million things to do, but learning CPR should be on the top of the list. It will give you tremendous peace of mind – and the more peace of mind you have as a parent, the better
• Actively supervise children in and around open bodies of water, giving them your undivided attention.
• When there are several adults present and children are swimming, use the Water Watcher card strategy, which designates an adult as the Water Watcher for a certain amount of time (such as 15-minute periods) to prevent lapses in supervision.
• Wear Coast Guard approved life jackets-not water wings, floaties, or noodles. Check the manufacturer’s label to ensure the life jacket is a proper fit for your child’s age and weight.
• Whether you’re swimming in a backyard pool or in a lake, teach children to swim with an adult. Older, more experienced swimmers should still swim with a partner ever time. From the first time your kids swim, teach children to never go near or in water without an adult present.
• Educate your children about the dangers of drain entanglement and entrapment and teach them to never play or swim near drains or suction outlets.