Water Safety Could Save a Child’s Life

“Everybody needs to learn how to swim and that includes parents,” said Carol Steiner, MD, FAAP of TPMG James River Pediatrics. Parents and guardians should know at least the basics of swimming and CPR. There are multiple resources for parents looking to teach their children water safety.

Infant Swimming Resource (ISR), for children as old as six months or more, teaches infants how to float and roll over if they were to accidentally fall into the water. While fairly expensive, this resource is extremely valuable for parents with pools or other water hazards near their house. Locally, Riverside offers infant and toddler swim lessons from six months up to three years of age. The YMCA also offers individualized swim lessons as early as age three for members.

Beyond learning to swim, there are other precautions you can take to make sure your little ones remain safe. Instead of floaties that may fall off in the water, Snap-on vests offer children more protection. Some vests even have removable layers of floatation protection that you can adjust according to your child’s strength in the water.

Remember to always wear life jackets on or near boats. For those with home pools or hot tubs, consider installing a four-sided isolation fence that completely surrounds the water with self-closing, self-locking gates. Place door alarms on all access points to the pool.

While proofing your home is important, the best way to make sure your child is safe from drowning is through vigilance. Children, infants, in particular, can drown in bathtubs, buckets, sinks, or even toilets, so it is imperative to maintain attention. Sometimes it may not even be a water source you control. A neighbor’s pool or hot tub is an equally dangerous hazard for a child. Contrary to popular myth, oftentimes juvenile drowning happens silently and as quickly as 20 to 60 seconds. Taking the time to answer a text, read a book, or talk with friends could have disastrous consequences.

Have a talk with your kids about the importance of water safety. Make sure they have a healthy respect for water and understand that drowning can happen at any age. Whether it is a fearless teenager or a curious toddler, all children should understand the risks before they dive in. In the United States, an average of 10 people drown every day. As parents, it is our responsibility to make sure our kids remain safe from the dangers of drowning.