Keep your children safe around water

by Dr. Charles Gardner

Jun 20, 2007

Medical Officer of Health

There’s no better way of beating the heat in the summer than heading for a cool dip in the pool or day at the beach. However, all bodies of water, even those as shallow as a few inches, can be dangerous places, and particularly so for young children.

Drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional death among Ontario children under five years old. And for every child in this age group who drowned in 2002-2003, there were an estimated six to 10 additional near drownings that required hospitalization.

To keep your children safe in or around water, you need to be your children’s lifeguard, and that means constant supervision. Never leave a child out of eye contact in or near water and make sure that they are always within arm’s reach. If you need to leave the area, even for a minute, you need to take your child with you or designate another adult to supervise. A drowning can happen in seconds.

When you are supervising children around water, don’t talk on your cell phone and don’t try to read. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by other people or the doorbell while you are watching your kids. Never drink alcohol while supervising children.

If you have a backyard pool, keep children safe by making sure that it is properly fenced with a self-closing locking gate. The fence should completely separate the pool from the house and yard. Check with your municipality for fencing height and any other requirements. Remove any objects near the fence that could allow a youngster to climb over.

Lifejackets and personal flotation devises are life savers. If you and your children are enjoying the water while out on a boat, make sure that each person in the boat, including adults, is wearing a properly fitted lifejacket or personal flotation device. It’s always a good idea to take a look at the weather report before you head out onto the open water.

Enrol your children in swimming lessons when they are young. It’s also an excellent idea for parents and caregivers to take a CPR/first aid course. Knowing what to do in an emergency could make all the difference.

For more information on how you can keep your children safe in and around water, call Your Health Connection at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or check www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.