Drowning is the second leading cause of preventable death for children under the age of 10, and Red Cross research shows the majority of Canadian parents do not understand what measures are needed to keep kids safe in, on and around water.
With summer just around the corner I am happy to share with you child drowning prevention tips and info
- Children need adult supervision whenever they are around water, not only when they are actively participating in water activities.
- All pools and open water can pose a risk to children, regardless of their depth. There’s a perception of safety in shallow water that gives parents a false sense of security. In reality, it only takes enough water to cover the mouth and nose for a drowning to happen.
- Effective adult supervision means never letting children out of sight. Children can drown in minutes and often don’t make sounds of distress.
- Lifejackets must be worn at all times when on a boat. It’s not enough to just have lifejackets on board because you likely would not have time to put it on if you need it.
- Swimming lessons can save lives.
- Ensure your backyard pool have four-sided fencing, and self-closing and self-latching gate.
- You should also have the appropriate equipment around the pool in case of an emergency. More info on backyard pool safety here.
It's so important that kids take swimming lessons and feel comfortable in the water, adult supervision and that parents are aware of water safety and what to look for in case of a drowning. Everyone also should know CPR. Thanks for sharing this important information! 🙂
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