Kids Drowning
Did you know that drowning is the leading cause of death for children four years old and under? Or that drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death for children ages five to 10? In the U.S., there are an average of 11 drowning deaths per day, according to the CDC. Some drownings are not fatal but still can be devastating as the lack of oxygen to the brain can have long-term effects. You can read more through this link: https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/data-research/facts/index.html.
In a few days, many will celebrate the 4th of July by picnicking, and some of us might be lucky to have a pool party or go to a lake, river, or stream to swim. It is a fun way to cool off during a warm summer day. But, even with plenty of adults around, there still can be the potential for a child to be at risk. Here are a few tips to help prevent a disaster:
1. Before the swim party, the adults in attendance should discuss who will be “on duty”, paying attention to the kids. Rotate the assignment every 15 – 20 minutes. Discussing a plan in advance will ensure that at least one person is watching at all times. Just having adults around without a plan allows the adults to be more distracted while talking to each other.
2. Enroll children in swimming lessons as soon as you can. Never allow a child (and adults who may not swim well) near water without some form of floatation device.
3. Teach your child that before entering a pool or body of water, they must ask you for permission. This may lessen the likelihood of them slipping in unnoticed and will be a good reminder for you to put on their floatation device and start watching them.
Keep in mind that drowning in real life is a silent event. On TV, when someone drowns there is yelling and splashing to play up the drama, but that’s not how it happens in real life. The victim’s lungs may be filled with water, they don’t have sufficient air to call out. And a child that is drowning is more likely to give up, allowing themselves to quietly slip to the bottom of the pool.
Follow the advice of a good friend of SCM who has a pool and a grandchild who has just learned to walk. Even though all the adults in the family are excellent swimmers, they immediately installed a fence around the pool when the baby started walking. Never take a chance with a little one’s life.
