Water Safety

Summer is finally here and all the fun activities that go along with the season including the plethora of water activities. It is a good time to remind everyone the importance of water safety whether you are cooling off in your pool, taking a trip to the beach or jet skiing at the lake. Drowning deaths account for the second leading cause of death next to motor vehicle accidents in children ages 1-4, estimating in 3, 960 fatal deaths every year. With adolescent and adult drowning incidents, it was found that alcohol intake, not wearing a life jacket with boating, and decreased swimming skills all having an influence on survival rates.   (www.cdc.gov/drowning/facts/indewww.cdc.gov/drowning/facts/index.htmx.htm). 

Here are some important tips to help you all stay safe, cool and have fun!

• Learn to swim! Enroll in swimming lessons early! Never to late to learn to swim.
• Never swim alone! Even adults!
• At the beach- swim where there is a life guard and mind the currents.
• Have a pool- make sure to have a gate/fence or safety guard up.
• Boating- wear those life jackets!
• In large groups- always have a “water watcher”- it only takes two seconds for a little one to sneak away or go under
• Do you have little ones? Think about buying bright colored swim suits instead of blues and greens. This makes it easier to spot them in the pool and at the beach.
• Avoid swimming and alcohol.
• Know your limits! Too tired, too hungry, too cold, too hot?
• Watch the weather!
• Don’t rely on the child rings for the kids, still remain in arms -length. They can easily tip over and end up face down.

These are just some of the many of the recommendations to consider. Water activities are a great way to cool down and have fun when you do it in a safe manner!

Hope everyone has a great, safe summer!

Sandra Kurtyka RN MSN CPNP 

References:

Water Safety - CDC

Swimming Safety | Swim Safe | American Red Cross