Tips to keep kids safe in the water this summer
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The temperatures are heating up and so is the danger for young kids. Many children will be looking to cool off as summer breaks begin, but pools and lakes can pose hidden dangers.
Kids will soon be out of school, and experts say it's important that children know how to swim and how to approach situations, whether you are at the beach or at a pool. Experts say drowning can happen at any time of year, but be especially cautious during the summer months when drowning incidents can increase up to 89 percent as compared to the rest of the year.
ABCs of water safety:
A is for adult supervision
Drowning is the No.1 cause of unintentional injury and death in California for children under the age of 5.
B is for barriers
Drowning continues to be the second leading cause of injury-related death in children ages 1-14 in the United States. Make sure barriers are in place between your home and swimming pool or spa. The extra time gained will help you get to your child before an injury happens. Most drownings occur because of a lapse in adult supervision. Even the best parent finds it challenging to watch a child every minute of every day. Barriers act as layers of protection that prevent water-related tragedies from occurring.
C is for classes
Everyone should know how to swim! CPR and first aid classes for adults, and swimming lessons and water safety classes for kids will make sure everyone knows what to do in an emergency.
Teach your children these four key swimming rules:
- Always swim with a buddy.
- Don't dive into unknown bodies of water. Jump feet first to avoid hitting your head on a shallow bottom.
- Don't push or jump on others.
- Be prepared for an emergency.
In Fresno, Break the Barriers teaches babies as young as 6 months key swimming skills and even has water safety training for adults. For more information, visit www.breakthebarriers.org.
