Tips to Protect Children From Accidental Drowning This Summer

Summer means gatherings with family and friends, and a chance to cool off from the warm weather. Although water activities can be relaxing, they can also be a threat to children.   Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among U.S. children ages 1-4, and the third leading cause in children and teens ages 5-19. Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that 70% of drowning deaths among children aged 15 and younger occur May through August, many occurring between 4 – 6 p.m., a timeframe for easy distractions during evening meal preparation. Learning to swim safely and being CPR certified can save a child’s life in an emergency.   In preparation for the summer, enroll your child in swim lessons. Many city programs offer affordable lessons. If you’re hosting a party or attending one with a pool, make sure that you designate a few people to rotate as lifeguards. Make sure children wear life jackets and official swim safety floatation devices. While pool toys are for fun, they aren’t meant to keep your child safely above water. Talk to your children about the importance of keeping their floaters on, the dangers of drowning, and how to get help if a sibling or friend falls in the pool. Teenagers and adults should get CPR trained through courses from the American Red Cross.   Tips to prevent drowning among kids:   If you own a pool, fence it.  Know your child’s limitations including strength and medical conditions.  Never swim alone.  Ask children to walk around the pool, never run around it.  Make sure a lifeguard or an adult is always designated at pool parties or at water activities.  Get CPR training for life-saving emergencies.  When outdoors, make sure children keep their floatation devices on.  Where to learn CPR and swim lessons in Redlands:  American Red Cross Training Services Locator  The YMCA of East Valley Swim Lessons   As an emergency department physician, I want to see families in our community enjoy summer activities safely. Water safety and CPR training are the best prevention tools against accidental drowning.