HOW TO STAY SAFE AROUND THE WATER
By: SONAL SHAH, M.D.
Summer is coming soon. Children will be enjoying the great outdoors and cooling off in the backyard or community swimming pools. Swimming can be a lot of fun, and a good form of exercise, but the water can be a dangerous place, especially for children. Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death at home for children younger than age five.
To keep your child safe this summer, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends following these important safety guidelines:
- Never leave a child alone in or near a swimming pool.
- If you have a backyard pool, make sure a fence separates your house from the pool. The fence should stand at least 5 feet tall, completely surround the pool, and have a self-latching gate that opens outward.
- Teach your child pool safety rules, such as “no running at poolside” and make sure these rules are followed.
- Remove all toys from the pool after use so children aren’t tempted to reach in for them.
- Keep an eye on children using inflatable devices.
- Closely supervise children when they are diving or jumping in the pool.
- Don’t assume your child can swim. Children can forget how to swim when panicked.
- Never leave a young child alone in the water – even a bathtub or wading pool. If you go answer the phone or to get a towel, take the child with you. Keep in mind that children can drown in as little as an inch or two of water.
In addition to enforcing these safety rules, parents and other adult caregivers should know how to swim, who to call in case of emergency, and how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Also, do not enroll your child in swimming lessons until he or she is at least four years of age. Swimming programs for infants and toddlers do not decrease the risk of drowning and these programs may give parents a false sense of security about their child’s swimming ability.
Remember, summer is a time for fun – but also a time for safety. You can help prevent accidents by following some simple safety rules.