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Water is one of the biggest hazards children will encounter. Drowning is the leading cause of death in children. Children can drown in just a few inches of water. Just because a child has received swimming lessons doesn’t mean they are safe around water. Studies have shown drownings are less likely the children ages 1 to 4 who had formal swimming instructions (Healthy Children, 2015). Just because a child has received formal swimming instructions does not mean they are always safe. It is important for parents to follow a few safety rules:- Be aware of small bodies of water such as the bathtub, fountains, and fishponds
- Supervision while a child is swimming in any pool.
- Life jackets should be worn at all times when a child is swimming or on a boat. Proper fit is important for the safety of the child. Life jackets should not be able to pulled off over the child’s head after being fastened.
- Safety rink and rope should be within reach
- Hot tubs can be dangerous for children who can easily drown or become overheated. Young children should not use any hot tubs or spas
- Eliminate distractions when a child is in the pool. Put your phone and other distractions to the side and supervise the child at all times.
- No alcohol use by the supervisor
Areas to be Aware
The
most common sources of drowning are: bathtubs for infants, swimming pools for
toddlers, and rivers and lakes for children older than 5 (Healthy Children, 2017). If
a child is drowning, the supervisor should get the child out of the water
immediately and check if they are breathing. If the child is not breathing, CPR
should begin. If someone is around, have them call for emergency medical help
or seek emergency help on your own once the child has began breathing again. A
few signs that a child is in danger of drowning are:
- Head tilted back with mouth open
- Eyes closed
- Eyes glossy and empty
- Head low in the water or mouth at water level
- Hair over forehead or eyes
- Not using legs
- Hyperventilating or gasping for air
- Trying to roll over to back
http://www.safekidsgf.com/WaterSafety.html
Keep in Mind
Not only are children at risk for drowning when swimming, but most swimming occurs in the summer time so UV protection is also an important factor. Children should use a sunburn protectant at all times when outside. Infants under 6 months should avoid sun exposure and wear lightweight long pants and long-sleeved shirts as well as a brimmed had to shake the neck and face. If an infant sunburn occurs, a cool compress should be applied to the area.
All other ages of children should avoid sun exposure by covering up and staying in the shade when possible especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Avoiding the sun exposure is the first and best line of defense against harmful ultraviolet radiation. Sunscreen with SPF 15 or greater is another great defense against UVA and UVB rays and should be reapplied every two hours or after swimming or sweating. (Healthy Children, 2017)
Children can drown in the slightest amount of water and it can happen quite fast. Be sure to give a child in water your full attention. If an incident happens, knowing the proper steps to take to ensure safety can save a child's life.
References
Water Safety: Tips for
Parents of Young Children. (2015). Retrieved October 09, 2017, from https://healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Water-Safety-And-Young-Children.aspx
Drowning Prevention:
Information for Parents. (2017, May 16). Retrieved October 09, 2017, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/Pages/Drowning.aspx
Summer Safety Tips: Sun and
Water Safety. (2017, May 4). Retrieved October 09, 2017, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/Summer-Safety-Tips-Sun-and-Water-Safety.aspx