Keep your kids safe – practice good water safety

Source Kids Health

Pools, lakes, ponds, and beaches mean summer fun and cool relief from hot weather. But water also can be dangerous for kids if you don’t take the proper precautions. Nearly 1,000 kids die each year by drowning, and most drownings occur in home swimming pools. It is the second leading cause of accidental death for people between the ages of 5 and 24.

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.

Young children are especially vulnerable — they can drown in less than two inches of water. That means drowning can happen where you’d least expect it — the sink, the toilet bowl, fountains, buckets, inflatable pools, or small bodies of standing water around your home, such as ditches filled with rainwater. Always watch children closely when they’re in or near any water.

It’s a good idea to learn how to swim, and kids older than four years should learn, too. 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 levels. Infants, toddlers, and weak swimmers should have an adult swimmer within arm’s reach to provide “touch supervision.”

Invest in proper-fitting, Coast Guard-approved flotation devices (life vests) and use them whenever a child is near water. Check the weight and size recommendations on the label, then have your child try it on to make sure it fits snugly. For kids younger than five years old, choose a vest with a strap between the legs and head support — the collar will keep the child’s head up and face out of the water. Inflatable vests and arm devices such as water wings are not effective protection against drowning.

Don’t forget the sunscreen and reapply frequently, especially if the kids are getting wet. UV sunglasses, hats, and protective clothing can also help provide sun protection.

Kids should drink plenty of fluids, particularly water, to prevent dehydration. It’s easy to get dehydrated in the sun, especially when kids are active and sweating. Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or nausea is just some of the signs of dehydration and overheating.

The temperature of the water is important, too. Enter the water slowly and make sure it feels comfortable for you and your child. A temperature below 70°F (20°C) is cold to most swimmers. Recommended water temperatures vary depending on the activity, swimmer’s age, and whether or not they are pregnant. In general, 82°-86°F (28°-30°C) is comfortable for recreational swimming for children (babies are more comfortable when the water is on the warmer side of this temperature range).

At the Lake or Pond

• Don’t let kids swim without adult supervision — lakes or ponds may be shallow near the bank and then increase in depth sharply further out from shore.

• Ponds and lakes may hide jagged rocks, broken glass, or trash.

• Make sure kids wear foot protection; even in the water, they should wear aqua socks or water shoes.

• Watch out for weeds and grass that could entangle a leg or arm.

• Most boating accidents, particularly among teenagers, are related to alcohol. When you and your family are boating, assign a designated driver who won’t drink. Be sure teens know about the dangers of alcohol, on and off the water.

Healthy Hometown is working toward a “healthy” Clinton County.