Tips to help keep children safe during the summer months

Now that the temperatures are rising and summer is approaching, the first images that come to mind are bar-b-ques, picnics, and swimming pools!

However, when you have little ones around (kids, grandchildren, nieces and nephews) it is important to be extra vigilant around the pool. Did you know that drowning is one of the top leading causes of death for children under 4? I worked for a couple of years as the Water Safety Educator for a local children’s hospital and enjoy the opportunity to share tips with the community.

According to Safe Kids USA, there are a few simple things you can do to keep your children safe around water.

1. Always make sure children are being ACTIVELY supervised. Would you believe that most drownings occur when a parent/guardian was “watching”? Active supervision involves being in close contact of the child/children and watching the child without distractions (i.e. no talking on the phone, reading a book, grilling hamburgers, etc.) In addition, if multiple adults are around, designate an adult to be the “water watcher”.
2. Door and pool gate alarms can help alert parents if a young child goes outside and attempts to enter the pool
3. Place kids who do not know how to swim in U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets. Please remember inflatable tubes and water wings (floaties) are not sufficient to prevent a child from drowning. These products can puncture and/or deflate and can easily slip-off a small child.
4. Enroll your child in swimming lessons. Please remember though, if a child has been through swimming lessons, they are still not “drowning proof” and supervision is still of utmost importance.
5. Learn CPR. In case the worst does happen, it is best to be as prepared as possible. Texas Health HEB offers CPR classes.

While the swimming pool is where most drownings occur, caution must be used anytime children are around water. Very young children have drowned in bathtubs, toilets, and even something as small as an ice chest or bucket with standing water. It only takes about one inch of water to cause a drowning.

At Texas Health HEB we want our entire community to be safe. If you would like Texas Health HEB community health educator to come speak at your facility, please call 817-848-4881 or e-mail JessicaReading@texashealth.org.

Jessica Reading, MPH
Community Health Educator
Texas Health HEB