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Water Safety

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The Facts

• Almost 800 children drown every year in the US. • 2/3 of these deaths occur from May-August

• Children 1-4 are more likely to drown in pools. • Children 5 and older are more likely to drown in

natural water such as lakes, rivers, and ponds.

Source: Safe Kids Worldwide 2014

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Supervision is Vital

• Nearly half of surveyed parents think that if their child was drowning the would be able to hear it: this is false. Drowning is SILENT.

• 1 out of 3 surveyed parents has left their child unattended in a pool for 2 or more minutes. Drowning can occur in less than one minute.

• More than half of surveyed parents feel that if a lifeguard is present they are responsible for their child’s safety: this is false. Ultimately, YOU are responsible for the safety of YOUR child.

• 60% of parents surveyed reported that they would be more confident if their child had received swimming lessons. While these lessons can be incredible helpful, they do not guarantee safety.

Source: Safe Kids Worldwide Misconceptions about Water Safety

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Water Survival Skills

• Every child should be able to do these 5 skills. Ability do complete them could help save their life. 1. Step or jump into water over their head and return to

the surface. 2. Float or tread water for at least 1 minute. 3. Turn in a full circle and find a safe exit point from the

water. 4. Swim at least 25 yards to a safe exit point. 5. Exit the water. If in a pool your child should be able to

get out without the assistance of a ladder or other individual.

Source: Safe Kids Worldwide Misconceptions about Water Safety

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Swimming Safety Tips

• If your children are near the water, your eyes should be on them. No distractions.

• If your child is an infant or toddler, you should be within arms reach at all times.

• If there are multiple children and adults playing and supervising, designate a “water watcher” and take turns supervising the group of children.

Source: Safe Kids Worldwide Misconceptions about Water Safety

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Water Safety Tips

• Start slow with babies. • You can start introducing your child to water at 6

months. Be sure to use a waterproof diaper and change it frequently.

• Teach your children about swimming safely. • Take swim lessons.• Swim only in designated areas.• Teach children how to handle rip currents, undertows,

and tides. • Teach children not to swim without an adult present.

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Water Safety Tips

• Don’t rely on swimming aids. • No “floaties,” pool noodle, or other water toys are an

adequate substitute for a coast-guard approved life jacket.

• Take the time to learn CPR. • CPR is easy to learn, and fairly easy to find somewhere

to take the class. Hospitals, fire stations, and other similar locations often host classes.

• Teach your child CPR. It is a skill that they can use for all of life.

• You could save your child, or someone else’s child.

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Pool Safety Tips

• Backyard pools should have a 4-sided fencing at least 4 feet tall equipped with a self-closing and latching gate. • This prevents your child from getting into the pool

accidentally, or from wandering in while you are not watching.

• Remember to empty and put up inflatable or plastic pools immediately after use. • These should be stored upside down (so they don’t

collect water) and out of your child’s reach.

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Pool Safety Tips

• A big hazard in pools and spas is the drain and circulation entrapment. • Young children are often not good enough swimmers,

or strong enough to get out of the suction and can be held underwater.

• To help prevent this: • Teach your children never to play near the pool drain.• Install multiple drains to prevent a strong suction from a

single source. • Install anti-entrapment drain covers, or install dome-

shaped drains instead of flat ones. • Regularly check to be sure that drains are not cracked,

missing a cover, or malfunctioning.

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Tips for Water Safety in the Home

• Never leave your child unattended in a bathtub. • Infants can drown in as little as 1 inch of water. • Keep toilet lids closed and secured with a seat

lock. • Empty sinks, buckets, tubs, and other containers

of water. • Keep doors to bathrooms and laundry rooms

closed securely.

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Boating Safety

• In 2013, 77 percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those who drowned, 84 percent were not wearing a life jacket.

• A large portion of boating accidents each year involve alcohol consumption by both boat operators and passengers. To keep you and your loved ones safe, it is strongly recommended not to drink alcoholic beverages while boating.

Source: Safe Kids Worldwide, 2014

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Boating Safety

• Always have your children wear a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard while on boats, around open bodies of water or when participating in water sports.• Make sure the life jacket fits snugly. Have the child

make a “touchdown” signal by raising both arms straight up; if the life jacket hits the child’s chin or ears, it may be too big or the straps may be too loose.

• Keep infants and small children warm. They are at higher risk for hyperthermia than adults since their bodies are still developing.

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Water Safety

• Teach your children that the water is fun to play in, but to be respectful of the danger that it can pose.

• Supervise your children when they are in and around water: the pool, the bathtub, the lake, the river and all forms of water sports.

• You are the one who is ultimately responsible for keeping your children safe in and around the water.

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