ARIZONA, USA — With Arizona's temperate weather, there are plenty of chances to have some fun out in the sun. Unfortunately, that also means that drowning poses a year-round risk: even more so for small children.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, every year America loses 800 to 900 children to drowning. 90% of those drownings happen within 10 yards of help.
Here are some key things to keep in mind for keeping kids safe around water:
Teach your children
Children should be taught to always ask an adult for permission to use the pool. Keeping a close eye on kids is of the utmost importance.
Teaching a child to swim will make them a little more water safe, improve their confidence, and give them a skill that will last a lifetime. Just remember, learning to swim isn't a substitute for adult supervision or a Coast Guard approved life jacket.
Never swim alone
Always have designated watchers, someone whose only job is to watch the kids in the pool. One watcher for every three children is a good rule of thumb. Older children should be told to let the designated watcher know if they perceive that a child is in trouble.
All children and non-swimmers should be accompanied by an adult in the pool area. When you're in the pool with a child 5 or younger, always keep them in arms' reach.
Use safety devices
You should have a US Coast Guard approved child’s life jacket for your kids. A well-fitting life jacket can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency as it keeps their head above water.
Pool alarms can also be used to let you know if someone enters the pool unsupervised. Floating alarms measure the change in water level, while submerged alarms use sonar to check if something is in the pool.
Get good fencing
Your pool should have a fence around it: At least 4-feet high with vertical slats that have no more than 4 inches between them. No opening under the fence should be more than 4 inches.
Make sure the fence isn't climbable, and make sure it has a self-closing gate with a lockable latch.
Know what to look for
Drowning doesn't look like what the movies show. More often than not, people go under without making much noise. Here are some of the signs to watch for:
- The swimmer is swimming but not moving forward.
- The swimmer is upright in the water moving their arms in a flapping motion.
- The swimmer can’t keep their head above water.
- The swimmer is motionless, floating face down on top of or beneath the water.
Many young children forget how to swim when they're scared. Never assume the victim is just joking or playing around.
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