As a pediatrician, I have experienced firsthand the pain of tragically losing young patients to drowning. Because of what I\u2019ve seen, I want to educate everyone about the importance of water safety.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m a mom of three young and vivacious kids. Like many of you, I look forward to warm summer weather, when we spend time with friends and family outdoors grilling and swimming. Water can be a lot of fun, but also very dangerous when the appropriate barriers and safety measures aren\u2019t followed. Drowning can happen in as little as 1 inch of water and within 30 seconds.<\/p>\n
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that drowning is the single leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4<\/a> and the second leading cause of injury-related death for children up to age 14. In the United States there are around 4,000 drowning deaths per year, or 11 per day.<\/p>\n We all know children are very curious and often drawn to water. While most preschool-aged children drown in swimming pools, most infant drownings occur in bathtubs and buckets. Drownings can happen any time a child is left unsupervised and has access to any standing water like hot tubs, spas, bathtubs, buckets, toilets, and natural bodies of water (lakes, rivers, oceans). Most children who drown are out of sight for less than five minutes.<\/p>\n Knowing how to swim reduces the risk of drowning, but it doesn\u2019t prevent it; 59% of children between the ages of 5 to 14 who drowned knew how to swim. Having an adult present is critical, but that alone isn\u2019t enough. Eighty-eight percent of child drownings took place when at least one adult was present, and 70% occurred during non-swimming time. Sadly, backyard pools and spas are where most drowning deaths occur in children under 5.<\/p>\n Fortunately, there are things we can all do to keep this summer safe and fun when around or in the water with our kids.<\/p>\n Drowning doesn\u2019t look like what most of us imagine it to be. You may think that if a child is drowning, they would be flapping their arms, splashing, and screaming for help. But that might not be the case; there might not be any noise at all. You may see their head low or tilted back with their mouth at water level. Their hair may be over their face and their eyes closed or glassy, empty, and unable to focus. You may see hyperventilating or gasping, and kids trying to swim in a particular direction but not making progress. All these signs can indicate distress.<\/p>\n In the tragic event that a child is pulled from water and is unresponsive, immediately have someone call 911 and start CPR as soon as they\u2019re out of the water. Many organizations such as the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association offer CPR training courses, both online and in-person.<\/p>\n As summertime approaches and you start to plan more activities outdoors, remember to put these practices into place. And every child should learn how to swim\u2014it can decrease their risk of drowning by as much as 88%.<\/p>\n Drowning is quick, silent, and preventable. Together, we can help prevent tragedies and put an end to childhood drowning.<\/p>\n American Academy of PediatricsThe scariest thing about child drowning is that it can happen quickly and silently. But – there is lots a parent can do to prevent it from happening.<\/h3>\n
General water safety<\/h3>\n
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Pool and spa safety<\/h3>\n
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At-home safety<\/h3>\n
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Resources for Parents<\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Pool Dangers and Drowning Prevention\u2015When It\u2019s Not Swimming Time<\/a><\/p>\n