Take Steps to Protect Kids From Drowning
July 18, 2005 | First Aid and Safety
This summer, every parent should think about basic water safety. Good supervision is rule No.1 to prevent drowning. Designate an adult who is focused on the kids. Pick a swim spot with a lifeguard.
That’s especially true for teenagers. In Washington state, teens face nearly the same risk of drowning as preschoolers.
“They go out with some buddies and they go to a lake or a river where they don’t have supervision no one who can easily rescue them and they get into trouble very quickly,” said Dr. Linda Quan of Children’s Hospital in Seattle.
Open water with cold temperatures and unpredictable currents is the most dangerous place to swim.
“If your child says ‘oh I’m going to go swimming with some buddies,’ that should generate a whole list of questions: Who are you going with where are you going? Is there going to be a lifeguard? Will there be a life jacket? Here’s one if they are not sure,’” said Dr. Quan.
Make this the summer that the child you love learns to swim. Public pools make it easy. In Seattle, swim lessons are free for 3rd and 4th graders. Kids who can’t afford a swimsuit can get that for free too.
“We hop in and hold onto the wall and she takes us,” said 6-year-old Sarah O’Donnell.
“Now we are getting to the point where we are safe because we are taking swimming lessons, but just a couple of years ago you were just on guard at all points and there was nothing relaxing about water or pools,” said Sarah’s mom.
A few weeks of swim lessons each summer is a lifelong gift for both parent and child.
For more information about swim lessons, contact the parks department in the city or county where you live.