If you have kids, you know that water safety is a major concern. While drowning is a very real risk, it doesn't mean that you can't take steps to keep your family safe around the water.
The best way to prevent an incident is to educate yourself and your kids. You can learn CPR and other life-saving skills through your local fire department, emergency medical service (EMS) or the American Red Cross. The American Heart Association also offers infant-specific training.
One of the most important things you can do for your kids is to actively supervise them in and around the water. That means staying close and giving them 100% of your attention. You don't want to be distracted by texting or talking to other adults. It is also a good idea to avoid drinking and drugs.
There are many different types of water hazards. Some of them include lakes, pools, dams, and drainage ditches. While these may seem less dangerous than open bodies of water, it is still a fact that every exposed water source has the potential to cause harm.
The best way to ensure your kids' safety is to learn how to swim. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends formal swimming lessons for children over the age of one. However, if you don't feel comfortable with your child's swimming skills, you should be cautious of allowing them to use an unsupervised pool or lake.
While your children might be old enough to go swimming by themselves, you still need to be vigilant. They are likely to get tired and may try risky behaviors.
For instance, your young child might try to climb over the side of a bathtub. You can prevent this by securing a door knob cover. If your baby is able to swim, it might be time to enroll them in a swimming lesson.
Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death amongst kids aged 1 to 4 years. It is one of the reasons why the American Heart Association has been conducting a number of studies to identify the best ways to reduce the risk of drowning.
There are a number of things you can do to help prevent drowning, including making sure your kids are supervised at all times, keeping a watchful eye on their activities and teaching them the rules of the road. The CDC estimates that 10 children die each day from drowning.
To be sure, surviving a drowning can be difficult, with most survivors suffering from severe brain damage. This is why it is essential to follow water safety rules and learn CPR. In the event that your child does suffer a serious injury, you should immediately call 911 and visit your doctor.
In addition to a thorough understanding of water safety, it is also important to understand how to recognize when your child is a victim of a drowning accident. Oftentimes, a drowning will happen in a minute or two. A small splash or a wave will do little to prevent it.