Water Safety

Sadly, drowning continues to be a leading cause of death. Children ages 1 to 4 years old are a highest risk.  Water safety includes pools, lakes, oceans and in the home.  Ways to promote water safety include adult supervision, swim lessons, pool safety (fencing and alarms), and identifying potential water hazards in the bathroom, laundry room, etc.

Babies can drown within seconds in as little as 1 to 2 inches of water.  

There are several water hazards in and around the home to include: the bathtub, the toilet, a bucket of water, kiddie wading pools, and coolers with melted ice. Keep infants and children safe around these potentially dangerous water areas.  

Never leave young children in tubs unattended - even if just a few seconds.

Always provide CONSTANT, CAPABLE,  and CLOSE adult supervision of infants and children when they are in or around water.   Never leave a child alone or in the care of another young child or inappropriate adult when they are near or in water.  Learn CPR and rescue breathing as well.

What is a Water Watcher?  This is an assigned adult who provides constant and active supervision of children and unskilled swimmers when they are in and around water. The Water Watcher is not distracted, not on their phones, in conversations, reading, or drinking alcohol.  They are usually identified by wearing a tag or lanyard.  Duties should be switched every 15 to 20 minutes.  

Ideally, the Water Watcher would know CPR, have their phone nearby in case of emergency, and have a floating or reaching object accesible.

Download your free Water Watcher cards (English and Spanish): www.safekids.org

Water Watcher app: an app that helps adults watch the water and no their phones.  A timer is set and the phone is placed down until the timer goes off.  Download the app on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Water competency is the basic set of skills to stay safe in and around water.   According to the American Red Cross there are FIVE essential swimming skills:  

1.  Stepping or jumping into deep water over their head and resurface

2. Tread water or float for one minute

3. Be able to turn around in the water to find an exit

4. Be able to swim the length of a standard pool (25 yards)

5. Be able to exit the water safely without using the ladder or getting help

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends swim lessons, starting at one year old, as an additional protection measure against drowning.  By 4 years old, most children are ready to take formal swimming lessons.  Swim lessons do not replace appropriate supervision by an adult.  

Look for qualified swim instructors and swim programs in your community.

Download the free Swim Program Decision chart and Swim Program Checklist (English and Spanish): ndpa.org (National Drowning Prevention Alliance/NDPA)

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) recommends that children under thirteen years of age wear a USCG-approved life jacket on boats, jet skis and other recreational vessels.  Pick a life jacket based on weight. The jacket should fit snugly, have  a crotch strap and grab strap for rescue purposes.

Personal floatation devices (PFD) include life jackets and life rings.  There are three categories:

1. Commercial - life jackets

2. Recreational - buoyancy aids

3. Throwable - these can be thrown to a person in water and include buoyancy cushions.

They are wearable such as life vests or suits worn on the body or throwable such as life rings, throw bags or buoyant seat cushions.  

For more information, wee uscgboating.org.

                                           Water Safety is everyone's responsibility!