Things To Know About Drowning
posted on Apr 28, 2017
Hello fellow Small Fish and Big Fish! As we move into the month of May, many of you are getting ready for school to end and are looking forward to a summer full of fun in the sun. While splashing around in the water is something we all look forward to during these hot summer months, it’s imperative that we talk about how important water safety is to prevent drowning. A few statistics to think about from WLSL.org:
About one in five people who die from drowning are ages 14 and younger.
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for
ages 1-14.
For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.
These statistics are a scary reality, so it’s incredibly important that you take all necessary steps to prevent it. First and foremost, learning how to swim is a vital skill that can help prevent drowning, but it’s certainly not the only thing that you can do. As you gear up for the beach or pool this summer, make sure you follow the following water safety tips:
Never leave children unattended: Parents are the first line of defense in keeping kids safe in the water. Never leave children unattended near water, not even for a minute. If your child's in the water, you should be too!
Read all posted signs: Follow posted safety rules and warnings. Teach kids that being safe in and around the water is a personal responsibility - yours and theirs.
Never swim alone or in unsupervised places: Teach your children to always swim with a buddy.
Wear a life jacket: If you or a family member is a weak or non-swimmer, wear a life vest. It's nothing to be embarrassed about and many facilities provide them at no charge. Make sure to join us on May 19th for National Wear Your Jacket To Work Day!
Look for lifeguards: It is always best to swim in an area supervised by lifeguards, but remember, lifeguards are the last line of defense when all other layers of protection fail.
Avoid water wings: Do not use air-filled swimming aids (such as "water wings") in place of life jackets or life preservers with children. Using air-filled swimming aids can give parents and children a false sense of security, which may increase the risk of drowning. These air-filled aids are toys and are not designed to be personal-flotation devices. After all, air-filled plastic tubes can deflate because they can become punctured or unplugged.
Keep toddlers in shallow play areas: Zero-depth entry pools have water games, sprays and fountains with no appreciable water depth.
Don't take risks- Don't take chances by overestimating your swimming skills.
And MOST Importantly:
Learn to swim: Taking swimming lessons can save not only your life but your loved ones life as well! Research has shown that participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning among children aged 1 to 4 years. The best thing you can do to prevent drowning is LEARN TO SWIM!
STAY SAFE AND ENJOY YOUR SUMMER VACATION MY FELLOW FISH!
