Drowning Prevention
Ahhh, summertime – that means taking a dip in the pool or boating on the lake with friends. But, taking part in these activities means making sure your children and grandchildren are safe around the water. Approximately 800 children ages 14 and under in the United States drown each year and nearly 2,700 require emergency room treatment for unintentional drowning related injuries. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Parents Magazine, most toddlers and preschoolers drown in swimming pools, whereas kids ages 5 to 14 are more likely to drown in oceans, lakes or rivers. Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children ages 1 to 3 and the second leading cause among kids under 15. A child who is under water will lose consciousness after two minutes and suffer irreversible brain damage within four to six minutes. So, what’s to blame for most drownings? POOR SUPERVISION! Nine out of ten children who have died in the water were being watched by an adult. Many times these adults become distracted. It only takes a moment for an accident to happen.
Roanoke Fire-EMS, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Fire Protection Association want to share some important safety tips to keep your loved ones safe when they are around water.
· Always keep your children within arms reach. Keep your eyes on them at all times.
· Select swimming areas carefully.
· Have your child wear a bright colored swimsuit – pale colors are hard to find if your child were to fall into the water.
· Use proper safety devices. Arm floaties and air-filled tubes aren’t approved for safety and WILL NOT protect your child against drowning. Use a U.S. Coast Guard approved life preserver whenever your child is on a boat or raft, near a river or participating in water sports.
· Don’t rely on the lifeguard.
· Be wary of plastic or inflatable pools. Watch your child even if they are in very shallow water.
· Never leave infants in the bathtub unsupervised. Small children can drown in as little as one inch of water! Babies are at greatest risk to drown in the bathtub!
If you have a backyard pool or hot-tub:
· Know where your child is AT ALL TIMES. If your child is missing, check the pool first.
· Surround your pool or hot-tub on four sides with a fence that is at least four or five feet high and never prop open a gate to the pool area. Make sure the latches are out of your child’s reach.
· Set up several roadblocks – Equip doors, gates and windows that lead to the pool or hot-tub area with locks and alarms or invest in a sonar device that sets off an alarm when something enters the water. Floating alarms also go off if the water is disturbed.
· Cover your pool with a rigid safety cover whenever you are not using it. If you have an above ground pool, remove ladders and steps when they’re not in use.
· Don’t leave toys in the pool area or use chemical dispensers that look like toys. Many children attempt to reach the toys and fall in unintentionally.
· Be prepared for an emergency. Keep a phone by the pool to call 9-1-1. Learn CPR and make sure your child’s caregivers know it too.
Pools aren’t the only dangers. Another hidden danger is the drain. Few parents realize that children can die in a pool or hot-tub by getting sucked down and trapped in a drain. A child’s hair or bathing suit can get stuck. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, since 1985, 34 kids under age 15 have died and 130 have been injured in accidents like this.
Remember to:
· Make sure that any pool or hot tub drain you use has an anti-entrapment drain cover. It should also have at least two drains for each pump which will reduce the powerful suction if one drain is blocked.
· Watch your child closely and make sure she doesn’t swim or play near drains. Have her tie her hair back or wear a bathing cap and make sure her swimsuit fits snugly with no loose ties.
When swimming, make sure your child knows the following rules:
· DO swim only if there is a lifeguard or if a grown-up gives you permission to swim.
· DO take swimming lessons.
· DO follow water safety rules.
· DO swim with a buddy.
· DO wade into the water feet first if you’re swimming in a lake, pond or river.
· DO wear a personal flotation device (PFD) when you are in a boat.
· DO get out of water right away if you hear thunder or see lightning.
· DO NOT stand up in a boat.
· DO NOT sit or stand on the edge of a boat or let your arms hang over the edge.
· DO NOT eat candy or chew gum when you are swimming.
· DO NOT swim when you are tired.
· DO NOT dive off piers or rocks.
· DO NOT run around a swimming pool, deck or pier.
Drowning is almost always preventable. By arming yourself with knowledge, you can ensure that your family will have a happy and safe summer season.
Roanoke Fire-EMS encourages all Roanoke residents to practice fire safety steps every day. Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility and fire prevention precautions DO make a difference! The Fire Prevention Division of the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department offers fireplace safety and/ or home fire safety inspections at no cost. Citizens can call 853-2795 to set up an appointment. Citizens in need can also receive a smoke detector at no cost from Roanoke Fire-EMS Administration, 541 Luck Avenue, Suite 120, Roanoke, VA 24016 or call 853-2327. Visit our website at www.roanokegov.com/fire-ems.
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