Practical Tips and Strategies for Parents and Caregivers
BY KATHERINE L. MAGSANOC
July is National Drowning Prevention Month, a crucial time to emphasize the importance of water safety and highlight practical steps parents and caregivers can take to protect children from this preventable tragedy.
Drowning is a silent killer, often occurring quickly and without warning. [1] This article provides essential tips and strategies to ensure children’s safety around water.
Understanding the Risks of Drowning
Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury death for children under the age of five. [2]
It can happen in any body of water, from swimming pools and bathtubs to lakes, oceans, and even buckets. Children can drown silently and unexpectedly, often within seconds.
This silent nature makes constant supervision crucial.
Practical Tips for Drowning Prevention
Supervision is key:
- Constant, active supervision: Never leave a child unattended near water, even for a moment. Active supervision means focusing solely on the child, avoiding distractions like cell phones or conversations.
Designate a “Water Watcher” if multiple adults are present, ensuring a clear rotation of responsibility. [3]
- Barriers and fencing: Install four-sided fencing around pools, ensuring gates self-close and self-latch. Keep gates locked at all times.
Regularly check for any damage or openings.
- Safe swimming areas: Supervise children closely in designated swimming areas and ensure they are within arm’s reach, particularly for young children or those who are not strong swimmers.
Teaching Water Safety Skills
- Swimming lessons: Enroll children in age-appropriate swimming lessons from a qualified instructor. Swimming lessons significantly reduce the risk of drowning. [4]
- Water safety education: Teach children basic water safety rules, such as never swimming alone, always swimming with a buddy, and understanding the importance of staying within designated areas.
- Buddy system: Insist that children always swim with a buddy, even if they are strong swimmers.
Additional Safety Measures
- Life jackets: Ensure children wear properly fitted life jackets whenever they are on or near water, especially in boats, kayaks, or other watercraft. Life jackets are not a substitute for supervision. [5]
- Empty buckets and containers: Empty and store buckets, containers, and other items that can hold water upside down immediately after use to prevent accidental drowning.
- Pool alarms: Install pool alarms to alert you if a child enters the pool area unsupervised.
- Regular pool maintenance: Ensure that pool fences and gates are in good working order. Regularly check the pool for any hazards.
- Emergency preparedness: Know how to perform CPR and have emergency contact numbers readily available.
Choosing the Right Life Jacket
Selecting the appropriate life jacket is crucial for ensuring your child’s safety. Consider these factors:
- Proper fit: The life jacket should fit snugly but comfortably. It shouldn’t ride up around the neck or allow the child to easily slip out of it. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for proper sizing and fitting guidelines.
- Type of life jacket: Different types of life jackets are designed for various activities. For example, a personal flotation device (PFD) designed for boating may not be suitable for swimming.
Choose a life jacket appropriate for the intended water activity. Consider a Type I PFD for offshore boating, Type II PFD for calm waters, Type III PFD for calm waters, and Type V PFD for specialized activities like kayaking. [6]
- Child’s age and weight: Life jackets are sized according to the child’s weight. Always refer to the manufacturer’s sizing chart to ensure the life jacket is the correct size for your child.
- Regular inspection: Regularly inspect the life jacket for any signs of wear and tear, such as rips, tears, or loose straps. Replace the life jacket if it shows any signs of damage.
Creating a Safe Environment
- Pool safety: Install a pool fence that complies with safety standards. Ensure that the fence is at least four feet high, has self-closing and self-latching gates, and is in good repair.
- Beach safety: Teach children about rip currents and other potential dangers at the beach. Supervise them closely and ensure they are aware of the water’s depth and conditions.
- Lake safety: Be mindful of underwater hazards, such as rocks and debris, when swimming in lakes. Ensure children are wearing life jackets when appropriate.
Drowning is a preventable tragedy. By implementing these practical tips and strategies, parents and caregivers can significantly reduce the risk of drowning and create a safer environment for children around water.
DISCLAIMER
This article provides general information and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
Photo by Alexandr Podvalny on Unsplash
