Staying Safe While in the Water
Pools, lakes, ponds, and beaches can be exciting opportunities for summer fun and can offer cool relief from hot weather. But water also can be dangerous for children if you don't take the proper precautions. Nearly 1,000 kids die each year by drowning. And most drownings occur in home swimming pools.
The good news is there are plenty of steps you can take to keep your kids safe in the water and make sure that they take the right precautions when they're on their own. Kids need constant supervision around water - whether the water is in a bathtub, a wading pool, an ornamental fish pond, a swimming pool, a spa, the beach, or a lake.
Young children are especially vulnerable - they can drown in less than 2 inches (6 centimeters) of water. That means drowning can happen where you'd least expect it - the sink, the toilet bowl, fountains, buckets, inflatable pools, or small bodies of standing water around your home, such as ditches filled with rain water. Always watch children closely when they're in or near any water.
Outside the home, your awareness can go a long way in preventing accidents. Find out where the water hazards in your neighborhood are. Who has a pool or water spa? Where are the retaining ponds or creeks that may attract children? Make neighbors who have pools aware that you have a young child and ask them to keep their gates locked.
Water play can be a great source of fun and exercise. You'll enjoy the water experience more by knowing and practicing these safety precautions.
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