Water Safety

Water Safety and Drowning Prevention

Too often, firefighters hear people say, “It was just a few seconds.”  Unfortunately, just a few seconds is all it takes for a child to drown.  Drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death nationwide to children under five years of age. 

Most youngsters are seen less than five minutes before being missed and subsequently discovered in the pool.  these children drown in their own backyard swimming pools, but others drown in buckets, bathtubs, toilets, dog water bowls, canals, and ponds. Small children are top-heavy, and they don’t have the upper body strength to lift themselves out of one of these dangerous situations. Even if the child survives the incident, they are often left with permanent brain damage.

Setting examples of good safety behavior by adults are important for young children.  Take the important steps to ensure the following safety tips are followed because children aren’t waterproof.

POOL SAFETY

Pools and spas are attractive to children and you can never be too cautious, even in familiar surroundings.  Many drownings can be prevented by following these safety tips:

Supervision

• Never leave a child unattended near any pool, spa, or other body of water, even for a second.  There is no substitute for adequate supervision.
• Always instruct baby-sitters about potential hazards around the pool.
• Don’t consider a child to be water safe, even if the youngster has had swimming lessons.
• Never rely on flotation devices to protect a child.
• Designate adults to watch children during gatherings.
• Don’t allow anyone of any age to swim alone.
• If you leave the pool area, take the children with you.

Security

• All gates or doors leading from the house to the pool area should have a self-closing and self-latching mechanism secured above the reach of young children (at least 4’9”).
• A fence or barrier, of at least five feet high, should completely surround the pool.  If the house is part of the barrier, the doors to the pool area should be protected with an alarm.
• Make sure the fence or barrier has no footholds that could help young children to climb.
• If the barrier is a chain link fence, no part of the diamond shaped opening should be larger than 1 ¾ inches.
• Steps and ladders leading to an above ground pool should be secured, locked, or removed when the pool is not in use.
• Vertical slats should be less than four inches apart to prevent a child from squeezing through.
• Do not place objects (chairs, tables, swing sets) near the pool or spa fence that could allow a child to climb over.

Housekeeping

• Pool and spa covers should be completely removed when the pool or spa is in use.
• Standing water should always be removed from pool covers.
• A clear view of the pool or spa from the house should be assured by removing vegetation and other obstacles.
• Keep toys, particularly tricycles or wheel toys, away from the pool or spa to prevent an accidental fall into the water.
• Have life safety devices near the pool, such as a pole/hook or flotation device.

If an Accident Occurs

• Keep a telephone poolside in case of an emergency.
• Parents and any babysitters should learn CPR.
• Immediately call 9-1-1.
• Don’t wait for emergency personnel, begin CPR immediately.

BATHTUB SAFETY

Nationally, about 80 children die each year from bathtub drownings.  Here are some tips for keeping your child safe in the tub:

Supervision

• Never leave a child unattended in the bathtub for any reason.
• Don’t run to answer the phone.
• Don’t check to see who’s at the door.
• Don’t leave your child to be watched by an older brother or sister.
• Bath seats- Several types of bath seats adhere to the bottom of the tub with suction cups and offer bathing infants support while sitting. Don’t think you can leave your child unattended.  The suction cups can come loose and it isn’t hard for a child to slide out of the seat.
• Get supplies first- Collect soap, towel, diaper, clothing, toys, and any other items you plan on using before you even run the bath water.  Place the items where you can reach them easily.

Housekeeping

• Water heater- To reduce the risk of scalding, set your home’s water heater to a maximum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.  A good test: you should be able to hold your hand comfortably under the tap water even when the hot water alone is running.
• Faucet covers- Placing a soft, insulated cover over the bathtub faucet is a prudent safeguard against accidental burns or bumps. 
• Slips and Falls- Prevent bathtub slips and falls by placing a rubber mat in the tub or affixing non-slip adhesive decals or strips to the bottom of the tub.
• Electrical hazards- Keep electrical devices (including hair dryers, curling irons, and electric razors) well away from the tub.
• Slippery floors- Be sure to use (and teach your child to use) extra caution and keep a non-slip bathroom rug by the side of the tub for your child to step on after bathing.

BUCKET SAFETY

Buckets filled with water or other liquids, especially the large five-gallon size, present a drowning hazard to small children.  Nationally, about 25 children drown every year in buckets, and many more are hospitalized.  Many of the containers involved in drownings nationally were five-gallon buckets containing liquids.  Most were used for mopping floors or other household chores.  Many were less than half full. 

A young child’s curiosity, along with their crawling and pulling up while learning to walk can lead to danger when buckets are used around the house.  Curious children lean forward to play in the water and when they topple into the bucket, they are unable to free themselves and drown.

The five-gallon bucket is particularly dangerous because its heavier weight makes it more stable than a smaller bucket, and unlikely to tip over when a child uses it to pull up.  These containers are about half the height of infants, and with several gallons of water, weigh more than children of that age.

Here are some safety tips to follow:

• Never leave any bucket of water or other liquid unattended when small children are around.
• Even a partially filled bucket can be a drowning hazard.
• When doing household chores, immediately empty out buckets when finished, or move them to a safe place when taking a break.

ALWAYS WATCH YOUR CHILDREN AROUND WATER, INSIDE THE HOME, AROUND THE POOL, AND IN THE YARD.

If you have any questions about water safety information not contained in this article, please email us or call 449-5452.