Kids love water but every year we hear about water related tragedies involving children. Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury and death in the pediatric age group and drowning rates are the highest among children ages 1 through 2 years. (More statistics)
Teach your kids about water safety and get them swim lessons.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you not begin formal swimming lessons until kids are at least 4 years old. That is the age that children are thought to be "developmentally ready" for swim lessons.
To reduce the risk of drowning, CPSC recommends adopting layers of protection, including physical barriers, such as a fence with self-closing, self-latching gates completely surrounding pools to prevent unsupervised access by young children. If the house forms a side of the barrier, use alarms on doors leading to the pool area or a power safety cover over the pool.
It is important to always be prepared for an emergency by having rescue equipment and a phone near the pool. Also, all parents who own pools should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (or CPR).
No one layer of protection is foolproof to prevent drowning in pools. Use as many layers of protection as possible. Multiple barriers and constant supervision are essential to protecting children.
Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool.
Instruct babysitters about potential hazards to young children in and around swimming pools and the need for constant supervision.
Completely fence the pool. Install self-closing and self-latching gates. Position latches out of reach of young children. Keep all doors and windows leading to the pool area secure to prevent small children from getting to the pool. Effective barriers and locks are necessary preventive measures, but there is no substitute for supervision.
Do not consider young children "drown proof" because they have had swimming lessons; young children should always be watched carefully while swimming.
Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.
Never use a pool with its pool cover partially in place, since children may become entrapped under it. Remove the cover completely.
Place tables and chairs well away from the pool fence to prevent children from climbing into the pool area.
Keep toys away from the pool area because a young child playing with the toys could accidentally fall in the water.
Remove steps to above ground pools when not in use.
Have a telephone at poolside to avoid having to leave children unattended in or near the pool to answer a telephone elsewhere. Keep emergency numbers at the poolside telephone.
Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
Keep rescue equipment by the pool.
Teach your kids about water safety and get them swim lessons.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you not begin formal swimming lessons until kids are at least 4 years old. That is the age that children are thought to be "developmentally ready" for swim lessons.
To reduce the risk of drowning, CPSC recommends adopting layers of protection, including physical barriers, such as a fence with self-closing, self-latching gates completely surrounding pools to prevent unsupervised access by young children. If the house forms a side of the barrier, use alarms on doors leading to the pool area or a power safety cover over the pool.
It is important to always be prepared for an emergency by having rescue equipment and a phone near the pool. Also, all parents who own pools should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (or CPR).
No one layer of protection is foolproof to prevent drowning in pools. Use as many layers of protection as possible. Multiple barriers and constant supervision are essential to protecting children.
Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool.
Instruct babysitters about potential hazards to young children in and around swimming pools and the need for constant supervision.
Completely fence the pool. Install self-closing and self-latching gates. Position latches out of reach of young children. Keep all doors and windows leading to the pool area secure to prevent small children from getting to the pool. Effective barriers and locks are necessary preventive measures, but there is no substitute for supervision.
Do not consider young children "drown proof" because they have had swimming lessons; young children should always be watched carefully while swimming.
Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.
Never use a pool with its pool cover partially in place, since children may become entrapped under it. Remove the cover completely.
Place tables and chairs well away from the pool fence to prevent children from climbing into the pool area.
Keep toys away from the pool area because a young child playing with the toys could accidentally fall in the water.
Remove steps to above ground pools when not in use.
Have a telephone at poolside to avoid having to leave children unattended in or near the pool to answer a telephone elsewhere. Keep emergency numbers at the poolside telephone.
Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
Keep rescue equipment by the pool.
I hope this article has helped make you aware of some of the dangers of water with small children and has help provide some ways to keep your children safe. It has been an wake up call and an eye opening article for me to research - Thanks and Be Safe
Children's Swimming Lessons in New Jersey
Bally Total Fitness Centers, Englewood, (800)495-1718. British Swim School is happy to announce that they will be hosting year round swim classes for children of all ages at Bally Fitness Centers in the Englewood area. Their 30-minute lessons will be held weekdays during the afternoon and evening, as well as Saturday mornings. Spring season of classes begins on 5/6. Call for more info.
The Hoboken-North Hudson YMCA, 1301 Washington Street, 201-963-4100. Families are invited to take advantage of another great season of activities, including Morning playtime, toddler programs, swim lessons and more! Call for more detailed information about programs and fees.
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3 comments:
Boy Dies Of Dry Drowning After Leaving Pool And Walking Home
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/110157.php
Infant Swimming Resource:
http://www.infantswim.com/home.html
9 Tips for Protecting your Child in Water Environments:
http://www.infantswim.com/assets/docs/ISR_Family_Safety_Tips.pdf
Trevor "Birdie" Davis Water Safety Foundation
http://www.cbre.com/USA/US/DC/Washington+DC+DT/misc/birdie
Unfortunately, the NJ/NY shore area is experiencing an increase in drowning deaths this summer (7 in the past 2 weeks). Please read these safety tips for you and your family.
When at the beach:
Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach.
Never swim alone.
Learn how to swim in the surf. It's not the same as swimming in a pool or lake.
Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out.
Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. Lifeguards are trained to identify potential hazards. Ask a lifeguard about the conditions before entering the water. This is part of their job.
Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist along side these structures.
Consider using polarized sunglasses when at the beach. They will help you to spot signatures of rip currents by cutting down glare and reflected sunlight off the ocean’s surface.
Pay especially close attention to children and elderly when at the beach. Even in shallow water, wave action can cause loss of footing.
If caught in a rip current:
Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
Never fight against the current.
Think of it like a treadmill that cannot be turned off, which you need to step to the side of.
Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim at an angle--away from the current--towards shore.
If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arm and yelling for help.
If you see someone in trouble, don't become a victim too:
Get help from a lifeguard.
If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1.
Throw the rip current victim something that floats--a lifejacket, a cooler, an inflatable ball.
Yell instructions on how to escape.
Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.
Website exclusively about Rip Currents - pictures, survivor stories and information:
http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/
NY Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/nyregion/28drown.html?ref=nyregion
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