Water Safety
Drowning is the number one cause of death among children aged 1-4, and is a leading cause of death among teens. Know how to keep your children safe.
If you own a pool, make sure to install a fence:
- At least 4 feet high
- With gates that are self-closing and self-latching
- That is non-climbable
- That surrounds the pool and is independent of the house
Make sure children are properly supervised around water. Assign a water watcher who will pay constant (undivided) attention to children in and around the water, and switch watching duties with another adult at a specific time.
The first step in water safety is to provide swimming lessons. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends swimming lessons as early as age one, but it's never too late to start, and you're never too old to learn to swim.
The majority of 0-4 year olds who drown do so during non-swimming time. Follow these safety tips around your home.
And even more safety tips.
Video Resources
Drowning prevention messages from parents.
