Sep 15, 2010

Drowning is a leading cause of injury-related death in children. Each year, more than 830 children, ages 14 and under, die as a result of unintentional drowning in the U.S.

Here are some Tips to Help Prevent Drowning:

• Always supervise children in and around water (bathtubs, lakes, and swimming pools). Never allow them to be near water alone.
• Children should not be expected to supervise each other around water. Parents should be present at all times.
• Teach young children how to swim.
• All children should wear life jackets while riding watercrafts.
• Teach children to swim with a buddy.
• Inflatable toys, like water wings, cannot be relied upon to keep children afloat. Use an appropriate fitting life jacket.
• Install four-sided isolation fencing at least 5 feet high, equipped with self closing and self-latching gates, around home swimming pools.
• Keep rescue equipment, a telephone and emergency numbers by the pool or swimming area.

Remember, children can drown in just an inch of water. Be vigilant about watching children around water.

 

Source : Safe Kids USA (www.safekids.org) American Academy of Pediatrics (www.aap.org)