tips for being safe in and around water

1. Water Safety
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2. 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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3. 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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4. 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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5. 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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6. 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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7. 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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8. 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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9. 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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10. 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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11. 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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12. 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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13. 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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