This is a time to ensure that every family is educated when it comes to water safety as we prepare for beach and pool season. So, what do parents need to know when it comes to water safety? What can we do to make sure that our kids are safe anytime they are around water?
When it comes to drowning, the statistics are pretty staggering. Drowning is the leading cause of injury death to children ages 1 to 4 — and the second leading cause of injury death for children ages 1 to 14, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A child can drown in as little as one inch of water and in as little time as 20 seconds.
Swim safety expert Sonali Morris, owner of Goldfish Swim School East Cleveland and Goldfish Swim School of Fairview Park, offers practical water safety advice for parents and caregivers:
Any time kids are around water, designate a “water watcher” who will avoid cell phones, conversations, magazines and anything else that might distract the adult from watching swimming children every single second. After all, most children who drown are supervised.
The American Red Cross says that the number one thing that parents can do to keep kids safe around water is to enroll them in swim lessons. Swimming is an essential life-saving skill with numerous physical, mental and intellectual benefits.
Get swim lessons for yourself or any other caregiver who cannot swim or is afraid of water.
Realize that floaties, noodles and plastic inner tubes do NOT protect against drowning. They are created as water toys, not life-saving devices. Life jackets should be designated as U.S. Coast Guard-approved.
Know that even the most seasoned swimmers can still encounter trouble. Make sure swimmers don’t over-estimate their skills and that they understand the importance of staying hydrated at all times.
Regardless of skill level, here are some mandatory water safety skills that all parents and adults must be familiar with:
• Climbing out of the pool safely: elbow, elbow, tummy, knees!
• Holding onto the wall and walking their hands along the wall to safety: the steps or ladder.
• Rolling over from a front float to a back float.
• Jumping off the side of the pool, swimming to the parent,turning themselves around and swimming back.
