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Why is water safety important to my family?
Drownings occur in a matter of seconds. Each year, more
than 1,150 children ages 14 and under drown. Drownings and
near-drownings occur 40 percent of the time on the weekends
and 66 percent between the months of May and August. Of
children surviving near-drownings, 5-20 percent suffer sever
or permanent disability. Most accidents occur in residential
swimming pools and could be prevented with improved supervision.
What can I do to protect my home?
Assign a designated "water watcher" to supervise
the pool/spa area. Keep a cordless phone and emergency numbers
next to the pool. Also, keep the pool area secured on all
four sides to prevent your child from accidentally wandering
near the water's edge.
 My
child is a good swimmer. Do I really need to be watching him/her
the whole time?
Absolutely. Close supervision is the key to preventing
drowning. Don't rely on swimming lessons, life preservers
or any other equipment to make a child "water safe."
Accidents can happen in a matter of seconds.
What should I do if my child is drowning?
Yell for help and get the child out of the water. Have
someone call 911. If the child isn't breathing, begin CPR
immediately and continue until help arrives.
What can I do to prepare myself for an emergency?
Knowledge about water-related tragedies is a powerful tool.
Know the steps to take to avoid danger and prevent water-related
injuries. Finally, learn CPR. It may be the valuable tool
that saves the life of a loved one.
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