Pools, beaches and water parks are great places to spend warm summer days, but before you start applying the sunscreen, review these ten tips to splash safely this summer:
- Never leave your child unsupervised near water at or in the home, or around any body of water, including a swimming pool. A drowning can occur within seconds—while parents are checking another child, answering the door or talking on the phone.
- Always follow the buddy system rule: No one should ever swim alone, not even adults or strong swimmers. A leg cramp or bump on the head could take you under water long enough to lose consciousness and without a “buddy” to help or get help, you could drown.
- Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and infant and child first aid.
- Do not rely on personal flotation devices “PFDs” (which include water wings or inner tubes) or swimming lessons to protect your child.
- Install child-proof fencing around swimming pools and install gate or water motion alarms.
- For above ground pools, the ladder should be locked in the upright position when the pool is unattended.
- Make sure you have rescue equipment, a telephone, and emergency phone numbers near the swimming pool.
- Insist that your child wear a US Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device on boats at all times. Life vests are also recommended for adults because rough waters can occur quickly, not providing time to get one on properly when needed.
- To prevent life-altering spinal cord injuries, do not allow children to dive in waters less than 9 feet deep from the side of a pool or dock, or 12 feet deep when diving from a diving board.
- No pushing anyone into the pool, running or horseplay on the pool deck.
