Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1 to 14. Learn how to help prevent water related injures with the following safety tips!
Children can drown in just one inch of water! Never leave a child unsupervised even for a second! Stay alert and avoid distrations like reading, social media, or talking on the phone.
Identify safe swimming areas for ponds, lakes, and the pools that you visit. Do not swim outside of designated areas, in bad weather, or when other unsafe conditions are present.
When boating or doing water sports, make sure that everyone wears Coast Guard Approved life jackets at all times to help prevent drowning.
Children who cannot swim should wear Coast Guard Approved life jackets at all times! Inflatable tubes or "water wings" will not help prevent water injuries or drowning.
Everyone in the family should know how to swim. Teach children to swim, tread water, and float. Supervise children while in or near the water and never let them swim without a responsible adult watching them.
Enclose all family pools with a four-foot fence with a self-closing and latching gate. Make sure the gate locks and check it regularly to make sure the lock is working properly. Pool covers and pool alarms can be used for extra protection to help prevent drowning.
Report broken, loose, or missing drain covers to the the pool's owner or operator. Children or others may get their feet, hands, or other body parts trapped in the drain parts resulting in injury or drowning.
Keep flotation devices, a telephone, and a whistle near to help you rescue or call for help for someone in case of a water emergency.
Learn CPR and first aid. This can make all the difference during an emergency and you could help save a life!
Empty and store water buckets, containers, and wading pools upside down and out of reach of children to help prevent drowning. Remember, that children can drown in just one inch of water!
Good water safety habits are also important inside the house. Always supervise children during bathtime or near water in the home. Empty all sinks, tubs, or containers when not in use to help prevent children from injury or drowning.
Always keep the toilet seat lid down when not in use. Install toliet locks to help prevent children from getting fingers pinched or getting their head stuck in the bowl which could lead to inury or drowning.
Click on the links to view and download FREE water safety education resources:
Water Safety Checklist English/Spanish
Safety Sami Coloring Sheet Water Safety English
Safety Sami Coloring Sheet Water Safety Spanish
Special Needs Water Safety English/Spanish
redcross.org: Find Swimming Lessons in Your Area For All Ages
redcross.org: Find a CPR Class in Your Area
