When you think of water safety, you might imagine practicing caution at the pool, beach or splash park. Don’t forget the bathtub, and even small pools of water in and around your yard. Wherever water is found, there is the potential for drowning – the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 years old. The good news is, by following a few precautions, it’s also one of the most preventable childhood injuries. At Akron Children’s, we’re here with resources to help keep your child safe around water – and having fun.
Water Safety Basics
Always Watch Your Child.
The number one thing you can do to keep your child safe around water is to stay close and keep your eyes on them at all times. If there is more than 2 inches of water, a child can drown. That means you should be mindful around any body of water, including wading pools, ponds in the backyard, swimming pools, oceans, lakes, streams, bathtubs, toilets, kiddie pools, drainage ditches and more. Assign yourself or another adult as the “designated watcher” who will closely monitor your child in or near water – and stay free of distractions like cell phone use.
Teach Your Child to Swim.
Kids at any age can take swimming lessons. Children over 4 years old should learn the basics of swimming, like floating and treading water. Younger children should learn about safety and will start to feel more familiar in the water. Adults can take lessons too. If you don’t know how to swim, try signing up for a class.
Akron Children’s Water Safety Programs:
- Safety Around Water – we partner with organizations like The Akron YMCA and others to teach children about water safety.
Bringing more to childhood means helping your family safely make the most of every moment. For more information on safety, see the links below.
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