SUMMER! Water Safety

Dear Melissa,

This is your mother. I know last year you posted on your blog various excellent information on keeping kids safe around water this summer. However, BOTH of your children (my lovely grandchildren) had close calls with drowning last summer. Can you please remind your readers of water safety tips?  Love, Grandma Ro Ro

Yes, mother! So, my extended family was sitting at the dinner table this week and we were discussing various boating and swimming plans for this summer. I was reminded how close BOTH of my kiddos (aged 3 & 6 years) had come to drowning the summer before. Therefore, I figured that a water safety reminder was due. And, quite frankly, I might just make this a habit to re-research, re-write, and re-post this important information EVERY summer.

The CDC reports that drowning is the second leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 years (with the most common cause of death being birth defects).  For children under 14 years, drowning is also the second leading cause of death (behind motor vehicle crashes). 1 

A few reminders for keeping your kids safe!

Teach your kids to swim! 

Boys & Girls Club, American Red Cross, private pools/clubs (you don’t necessarily have to be a member), local colleges/universities, word of mouth private teachers, the options are limitless! Which reminds me, I need to sign my own kids up for swimming lessons this year!

Know your child’s personality/abilities. 

Does your child have Autism, ADHD, or is he impulsive? Know your child’s natural personality and if he tends to be a risk-taker or not. If he is the risky type, be even MORE vigilant than you would otherwise. Drowning is the #1 cause of death for children with Autism (Autism/Asperger’s Digest) However, don’t just assume that your very timid child who won’t even put his face in the water is automatically safe because he is timid. That is how my 6 year old who couldn’t swim a stroke ended up in the deep end of the public pool.
Underestimate your child’s swimming ability!

Yes, your child may have passed off the check list as a beginner swimmer, and yes, he may be able to swim across the deep end of the pool, but don’t then just assume that he can swim well enough to keep himself safe. When it comes to water safety, maintain extra vigilant with less than ideal swimming conditions such as the lake, swim parties, canoeing, the ocean, etc. It is also important to share your child’s swimming abilities (or lack there of) with any camp counselors, babysitters, or family friends who might be taking your child swimming. It is always a good idea to make your child wear a life jacket, just in case. Yes, many children will balk at the idea of continued use of the life jacket, but the rules are the rules!

It is easy to have a short lapse in supervision.
Again, true story. I was IN the water, sitting on the pool steps with my 3 year old within an arms reach. I turned my head to watch my niece doing a flip in the pool. I turn my head back, and my daughter is completely silent, under water, no splashing. Scary. Ninety percent of drowning deaths occur while the child is being supervised. 2  Unlike what you see in the movies, drowning is generally silent. No splashing. No screaming. Silent. Again, scary.

Make your home pool Fort Knox. 

Put up a barrier fence. Move pool furniture away from this fence so that it can’t be used as a step stool. Make sure pool toys are not left in the pool. Install a pool alarm to alert you if the pool water is disturbed. Lock back doors/gates to create additional barriers to the pool area. You get the idea. The more layers of protection you have surrounding the pool, the less likely a child will wander off and decide to go for a dip, alone.

Yes, swimming is excellent exercise and a great way to cool off in the summer. Just make sure your child is safe and supervised. And by the way, don’t forget the sun block!

Do you have questions that you would like me to address in my weekly blog?

email: share@childrenstherapyteam.com

Resources:

Unintentional Drowning: Get the facts, Centers for Disease Control:  (Accessed May 2015)

Water Safety: The Ultimate Life Skill, Autism/Asperger’s Digest (Accessed May 2015)

Pool & Spa Safety, (Accessed May 2015)

Home Pool Safety, American Red Cross (Accessed May 2015)

Water Safety at Home, Safe Kids Worldwide (Accessed May 2015)

Children's Therapy TEAM, Leading Pediatric Therapy Care in Northwest Arkansas