A recent
American Red Cross survey* shows that almost
half the adults surveyed on water safety say
they’ve had an experience where they nearly
drowned, and one in four know someone who
has drowned. While over 90% of families with
young children will be in the water at some
point this summer, almost half (48%) plan to
swim in a place with no lifeguard. With so
many planning to be in, on or near the
water, it is important to follow the basics
of water safety, maintain constant
supervision of children and to get trained!
PRACTICE
WATER SAFETY
• Swim in designated areas supervised by
lifeguards.
• Always swim with a buddy; do not allow
anyone to swim alone.
• Ensure that everyone in the family learns
to swim well.
• Never leave a young child unattended near
water and do not trust a child’s life to
another child.
• Teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
• Have young children or inexperienced
swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life
jackets around water.
• Do not rely on
life jackets alone.
MAINTAIN CONSTANT SUPERVISION
• If you have a pool, secure it with
appropriate barriers—many children who drown
in home pools were out of sight for less
than 5
minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time.
• Actively supervise children whenever
around water—even if lifeguards are present.
Always stay within arm’s reach of young
children.
• Avoid distractions when supervising
children around water.
KNOW HOW TO RESPOND TO AN AQUATIC
EMERGENCY
• If a child is missing, check the water
first. Seconds count in preventing death or
disability.
• Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the
local emergency number.
• Enroll in water safety, first aid and CPR
courses to learn how to respond.
• Have appropriate equipment, such as
reaching or throwing equipment, a cell
phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.
*Source: Red Cross Telephone
survey of 1,002 U.S. Adults 18 years and
older on March 20-23, 2009 conducted by ORC
International. |
