Water Safety - Hilliard Pediatrics

Summer is here and the pools are open! Let’s grab our swimsuits and sunscreen and go have some fun. Cooling off on a hot summer day at the pool/lake is always great, but we must remember how to stay safe.

Here are a few reminders of how to keep kids safe near the water:

Never leave children alone in or near the water at a pool or lake, etc.
Young children (5 years old and under) and those who are not proficient swimmers, should always be within an arm’s reach of an adult in the water.
Floaties (ex. Puddle jumpers, water wings, etc) are not the same as life jackets. An adult must still be within arm’s reach of the child in the water.
While boating, children (and adults!) should be wearing life jackets at all times, including on the dock or near the body of water.
Never swim alone in the open water, always have a swimming buddy.

Drowning is the leading cause of injury death in children 1-4 years old. This most commonly happens during unexpected, unsupervised access to water (ie non-swim times).

Backyard pools need to be completely enclosed by a fence, at least 4 feet high.
Even baby pools and inflatable pools in the backyard are a drowning risk. Make sure to empty water containers and pools immediately after use.
If a child is missing, always check pools, ponds, lakes, etc first.
Prevent toddlers from going outside unnoticed by using safety gates, doorknob covers, or door locks on doors leading outside. Make sure to close doors behind you.

References:

Beth Schloss, MD

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