Water Safety

Immunizations
Car Seats
Helmuts
Child Proofing Your Home
Water Safety
Second Hand Smoke

Water Safety

Pools, lakes, ponds, and beaches can be exciting recreation opportunities for many families. Swimming and water play offer cool relief in hotter weather. But water also can be dangerous for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics and SafeKids gives these statistics:

Drowning is the second leading cause of death among children aged 1 through 14 in the United States. Drowning accounted for 940 child deaths in 1998.

A swimming pool is 14 times more likely than a motor vehicle to be involved in the death of a child under the age of 4.

One third of comatose drowning victims will suffer permanent brain damage.

The majority of child drownings occur in apartment or home swimming pools.

Boating accidents account for 5% of the drownings in the United States for children under age 15.

At the time of the drowning, 70% percent of all preschoolers who drown are in the care of one or both parents.

According to the Children's Medical Center of Dallas, TX, "Parents whose children have drowned say the day of the tragedy started out just like any other day. No matter how the drowning happened, one thing was the same for all these parents: The three tragic seconds that claimed their child's life slid silently, without warning, and can never be brought back."

To protect your child from drowning use layers of barrier protection between children and water to warn and impede:

Alarms on doors and windows leading to the water, installed about five feet above ground level so that a child cannot reach them.

A non-climbable five-foot fence that separates the pool/spa from the residence. Opening should be no more than four inches wide so children cannot squeeze through the spaces.

Self-closing and self-latching fence gates, side gates and doors leading to the pool/spa area, with latches above a child's reach (54 inches high). Gates should open outward.

Pool safety covers (power-operated are the safest and easiest to use).

In addition to installing barriers and protective devices, routinely follow these practices:

Maintain all safety devices to ensure they are in good working order.

Secure and lock all doors, windows and gates leading to the pool/spa area when not in use.

Drain standing water from pool/spa covers. Remove covers completely before using the pool/spa and replace them immediately after use.

Never leave toys in or around the pool/spa. And, place items that can be used for climbing (tables, chairs, planters) away from fences.

Supervision: Curiosity, rapidly changing skills and an ability to understand danger place young children at high risk. Adults must establish and communicate responsibility for child supervision:

Assign an adult "water watcher" to supervise the pool/spa area, especially during social gatherings.

Assign a second adult to maintain constant visual contact with children in the pool/spa area. Don't assume someone else is watching a child.

Never leave a child alone near a pool or spa, bathtub, toilet, water-filled bucket, pond or any standing water in which a child's nose and mouth may be submersed.

Don't rely on swimming lessons, life preservers or other equipment to make a child "water safe."

Don't allow children to play in the pool/spa area.

Look in the pool area first if a child is missing.

Communicate pool safety measures with the baby-sitter and train the sitter in infant/child CPR.

Preparation:

Insist anyone over 14 years old has current certification in infant/child CPR.

Learn how to swim and learn rescue techniques. Mount rescue equipment by the pool (lifesaving ring, shepherd's hook and CPR sign). Many float-type toys are thought to be lifesavers. They aren't. They are only toys and should be used only as toys (arm floats and inflatable rings).

Post the 9-1-1 emergency phone number on your phones. Have a phone near the pool area. Don't leave children unattended while talking on the phone.

Teach everyone how to use safety equipment and how to call 9-1-1.

COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & INFECTIONS | YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT
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If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.

© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.

Immunizations Car Seats Helmuts Child Proofing Your Home Water Safety Second Hand Smoke		Water Safety Pools, lakes, ponds, and beaches can be exciting recreation opportunities for many families. Swimming and water play offer cool relief in hotter weather. But water also can be dangerous for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics and SafeKids gives these statistics: Drowning is the second leading cause of death among children aged 1 through 14 in the United States. Drowning accounted for 940 child deaths in 1998. A swimming pool is 14 times more likely than a motor vehicle to be involved in the death of a child under the age of 4. One third of comatose drowning victims will suffer permanent brain damage. The majority of child drownings occur in apartment or home swimming pools. Boating accidents account for 5% of the drownings in the United States for children under age 15. At the time of the drowning, 70% percent of all preschoolers who drown are in the care of one or both parents. According to the Children's Medical Center of Dallas, TX, "Parents whose children have drowned say the day of the tragedy started out just like any other day. No matter how the drowning happened, one thing was the same for all these parents: The three tragic seconds that claimed their child's life slid silently, without warning, and can never be brought back." To protect your child from drowning use layers of barrier protection between children and water to warn and impede: Alarms on doors and windows leading to the water, installed about five feet above ground level so that a child cannot reach them. A non-climbable five-foot fence that separates the pool/spa from the residence. Opening should be no more than four inches wide so children cannot squeeze through the spaces. Self-closing and self-latching fence gates, side gates and doors leading to the pool/spa area, with latches above a child's reach (54 inches high). Gates should open outward. Pool safety covers (power-operated are the safest and easiest to use). In addition to installing barriers and protective devices, routinely follow these practices: Maintain all safety devices to ensure they are in good working order. Secure and lock all doors, windows and gates leading to the pool/spa area when not in use. Drain standing water from pool/spa covers. Remove covers completely before using the pool/spa and replace them immediately after use. Never leave toys in or around the pool/spa. And, place items that can be used for climbing (tables, chairs, planters) away from fences. Supervision: Curiosity, rapidly changing skills and an ability to understand danger place young children at high risk. Adults must establish and communicate responsibility for child supervision: Assign an adult "water watcher" to supervise the pool/spa area, especially during social gatherings. Assign a second adult to maintain constant visual contact with children in the pool/spa area. Don't assume someone else is watching a child. Never leave a child alone near a pool or spa, bathtub, toilet, water-filled bucket, pond or any standing water in which a child's nose and mouth may be submersed. Don't rely on swimming lessons, life preservers or other equipment to make a child "water safe." Don't allow children to play in the pool/spa area. Look in the pool area first if a child is missing. Communicate pool safety measures with the baby-sitter and train the sitter in infant/child CPR. Preparation: Insist anyone over 14 years old has current certification in infant/child CPR. Learn how to swim and learn rescue techniques. Mount rescue equipment by the pool (lifesaving ring, shepherd's hook and CPR sign). Many float-type toys are thought to be lifesavers. They aren't. They are only toys and should be used only as toys (arm floats and inflatable rings). Post the 9-1-1 emergency phone number on your phones. Have a phone near the pool area. Don't leave children unattended while talking on the phone. Teach everyone how to use safety equipment and how to call 9-1-1.
		COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & INFECTIONS \| YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT PARENTING CHALLENGES \| RESOURCES AND INFORMATION \| ABOUT THIS PROGRAM BACK TO PRAIRIE PUBLIC TELEVISION \| RETURN TO PRAIRIEPUBLIC.ORG HOME PAGE
		Missed A Program? Healthworks on Videotape If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.
		© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.