Supervision! Supervision! Supervision! The summer months are here, so it is time to start supervising our children when they are in or near water. This is because drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and the third leading cause of unintentional injury death among U.S. children and adolescents 5 to 19 years of age.
Other Summer tips:
Enroll in Swim Lessons: The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends swim lessons for kids starting at age 1. By their 4th birthday, most are ready for swim lessons and learn basic water survival skills such as floating, treading water, and getting to an exit point. As per AAP, there is no evidence that infant swim programs for babies under one year lower their drowning risk.
Use Safety Gear: Inexperienced swimmers should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets or floatation devices.
Water Safety Rules: never swim alone, stay away from drains or suction outlets, and always ask for permission before entering the water. Include 4-sided fencing with locks and alarms for all residential pools.
Dress kids in colorful swimwear so they can easily be seen.
Be Prepared for Emergencies: Review CPR and basic water rescue techniques.
Pharr, Jennifer, et al. "Parental Factors That Influence Swimming in Children and Adolescents." 2014, https://doi.org/10.25035/ijare.08.04.07.
Denny, Sarah, et al. "Prevention of Drowning." Pediatrics, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-0850.
Have Fun, and Chat Soon!
Dr. Works
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