Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death in children ages 1-4 years-old. Adolescents (15-19-year-olds) have the second highest fatal drowning rate of any age group. Such tragedies are often preventable; continue reading to learn how to avoid this heart-wrenching loss. Here are some easy to implement safety tips for each age group:
Infants - Young Children
a. Be Aware of the Dangers: Infants can drown in as little as 1-2 inches of water. Bath tubs, pools, toilets, buckets of water, drainage ditches, natural bodies of water – all of these can claim the lives of babies who are too young to lift their heads above water. Be aware of where the dangers are.
b. Reduce the Dangers: Empty containers that hold water, such as buckets, ice coolers, or wading pools when they are not in use. Keep the toilet lid closed.
c. Fence it Off: Research shows that over half of all swimming pool drownings of young children could be prevented by fencing. The fence should be at least 4 feet high with slats no more than 4 inches wide, completely surround the pool, and have a self-closing and self-latching gate that has a latch at least 54 inches off the ground.
d. Always Supervise: Never leave your baby alone, even for a moment, when they are in the bathtub or near other water dangers. Never leave children unsupervised when near bodies of water and do not allow yourself to get distracted. Drowning happens silently. Drowning happens quickly.
e. Swim Lessons: Most children are ready for swim lessons by age 4. Swim lessons significantly decrease the risk of drowning. There are many local options for lessons, including Kokomo Beach, the YMCA, and several school programs. Check to see which programs are convenient and affordable for your family.
f. Life Jackets: Floaties do not replace life jackets. Ensure the life jacket is sized properly for your child.
Adolescents
a. Swim lessons: Ensure your teen knows how to swim. If they haven’t learned before, this summer would be a great time to start. Look into local swim lesson opportunities mentioned above.
b. Continue to Supervise: It may be tempting to leave teenagers alone at the pool, but they are prone to over-estimating their own abilities and under-estimating risks. Adult supervision is still required to ensure safe water behavior.
c. Wear Life Jackets on Bodies of Water: This applies to adults as well. A boat might capsize. A storm might pop up. Life jackets will help a teen or adult float in dangerous situations.
d. Alcohol/Drugs Danger: Discuss with your teen the dangers of mixing alcohol and/or drugs with water recreation. Judgment, skills, and coordination all decrease when consuming these substances.
Find these and many more tips at Healthy Children.org. Also, follow the Howard County Health Department on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram this month for daily tips on water safety.