Although swimming can be a fun and a healthy activity, it also presents some potentially dangerous situations. Follow these tips to stay safe.
The Hard Facts about Drowning
- Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children ages 1-4.
- The third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children aged 19 and under is
The Top Tips for Swimming Safety
- Keep an eye on children when they are in or near water. Keep small children and inexperienced swimmers within your arm’s reach of an adult. Make sure that more experienced swimmers always have a partner.
- Select a Water Watcher. When there are several adults present, assign one to be in charge of keeping an eye on children in or near the water for a set period of time, such as 15 minutes. Choose another adult to be the Water Watcher after 15 minutes.
- Teach kids how to swim. Because every child is unique, enroll children in swim lessons when they are ready. Consider their age, development, and frequency of exposure to water.
- Make sure kids learn these five water survival skills.
- They step or jump into water over their heads and return to the surface.
- Turn around in the water and orient to safety.
- Float or tread water.
- Combine breathing with forward movement in the water.
- Exit the water.
It is critical to teach children that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool. Be aware of open water situations such as limited visibility, depth, uneven surfaces, currents, and undertow. Swimming in open water can be more difficult than swimming in a pool because of these potential hazards.
Learn CPR and water rescue basics. It is critical to understand how to respond in an emergency without risking drowning. Learning these skills could save a life.
For more information on pool safety visit: https://www.safekids.org/poolsafety