With summer already here, toddlers are excited and ready to splash around in pools.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned us to be especially cautious with children during the summer. They have reported that drowning is the primary cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children aged 5 to 14 after motor vehicle crashes. Therefore, we must take extra care to keep children safe from drowning.
According to the CDC, around 4,000 unintentional drownings resulting in death occur every year. This means that an average of 11 people lose their lives to drowning daily. Additionally, there are 4,000 nonfatal drowning incidents that can result in long-term health issues and costly hospital stays for the victim.
In California, drowning takes more toddlers' lives than any other accident, and those who survive are left with severe brain damage from lack of oxygen.
Most of these accidents happen at the homes of relatives, parents, or neighbors.
Here are some safety tips to keep your children safe this summer:
● When supervising children in the water, you must keep an eye on them at all times
● Never leave your children alone around a pool, spa, or wading pool
● Get into the habit of leaving the gates and doors that lead to water closed at all times
● Keep rescue equipment (safety ring, long pole) and a phone beside the pool or spa.
● Teach children proper survival swimming skills. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting at four years old
● Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
● Teach children how to dial 9-1-1
Drowning incidents are most commonly reported during the months of May to August. Practicing these safety tips during this time is essential, but implementing them year-round is also important.
For more tips, please visit https://www.cdss.ca.gov/media-center/drowning-prevention#
