Nearly 800 children drown in the US each year, with most deaths occurring in summer months. Young children under 5 are more likely to drown in pools, while older children face greater risks in natural bodies of water. Proper supervision is essential, as drowning can occur silently in under a minute. Parents should designate water watchers, keep young children within arm's reach, and never rely on swimming aids as a substitute for life jackets. Teaching children water survival skills and CPR can help save lives.

1. Water
Safety
Presented
By
1
Led
By

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
2

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
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• 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

5. Swimming Safety
Tips
5
• 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

6. Water Safety
Tips
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• 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.

7. Water Safety
Tips
7
• 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.

8. Pool Safety
Tips
8
• 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.

9. Pool Safety
Tips
9
• 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.

10. Tips for Water Safety in the
Home
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• 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.

11. Boating
Safety
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• 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

12. Boating
Safety
12
• 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.

13. Water
Safety
13
• 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.

14. Led
By
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