Further Reading

What are some summer water safety tips?

by Tariq M. Khan, MD, FAAP

Spring is moving along too fast, and summer is around the corner! It brings with it warm temperatures, increasing outdoor activities. A lot of these activities in our area involve some type of body of water – whether it be a swimming pool in the back yard, lake, pond, or creek.

There are some things parents should be vigilant about when around these bodies of water with their family and children. Here are some serious, eye opening facts:

  • Drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 14 and under.
  • Children under 5 years of age represent a majority (76 percent) of reported fatalities and almost 80 percent of emergency department-treated submersion injuries.
  • Swimming pools are the most common site for a drowning to occur among children between ages 1 and 4 years. Most of these injuries happen at a family or a friend’s house.

Let’s make sure this summer is safer than the last one by following some tips:

  • Kids need constant supervision around water — whether the water is in a bathtub, a wading pool, an ornamental fish pond, a swimming pool, a spa, the beach, or a lake.
  • Don’t assume that a child who knows how to swim isn’t at risk for drowning. All kids need to be supervised in the water, no matter what their swimming skill level. Infants, toddlers, and weak swimmers should have an adult swimmer within arm’s reach to provide “touch supervision.”
  • Use Coast Guard approved safety vests and devices when your children are in and around a body of water to ensure further safety in addition to supervision. These should be in good shape and close at hand when boating or swimming.
  • Body temperature drops more quickly in water than on land, and it does not take long for hypothermia to set in. If a child is shivering or experiencing muscle cramps, get him or her out of the water immediately.
  • Learn CPR. Care givers other than parents should learn it, too. There are several local agencies that offer these basic CPR courses. Your child’s physician could be a resource to direct you to these agencies.
  • Last, but not least, four-sided isolation fencing around home pools could prevent a large number of childhood drownings and near-drownings. In addition, when used properly, door alarms, pool alarms, and automatic pool covers add an extra layer of protection.

The bottom line is that along with some of the safety measures and devices above, there is nothing more effective than constant close supervision. Have a great and fun filled summer!