5 Tips to Keep Your Children Safe Around Water
August is the peak of the summer temperatures, which means that more and more people are heading to pools, lakes, rivers, and beaches to cool off. Though swimming is a fun and refreshing activity during these sultry months, it can also be a dangerous one. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages one to four and the second leading cause of death for children ages five through 14. Drownings are tragic accidents, but they are avoidable with proper precautions and safety measures. Here are tips to keep your children safe around water this summer:
1. Make Learning a Priority
One of the best ways to combat drowning is by teaching your kids to know what to do when they are in water. Babies can be taught to float on their backs if they fall into the water, and children can be taught how to swim. Most of the time, you can find swimming classes at your local recreation center or school. As a parent, you should also know how to perform CPR if it becomes necessary. These classes are often given at local Red Cross organizations, hospitals, or schools.
2. Always Wear Life Jackets
Children should always be wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when they are in or around bodies of water, especially if they do not know how to swim. Even those who know how to swim should wear life jackets when around natural bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, or oceans, because they can be unpredictable.
3. Make Rules and Stick to Them
You and your family should have your own rules when it comes to water safety. These rules should always be enforced for the safety of your children. Make sure children know to never go into a body of water if you are not around. Try to make sure children know their limits and abilities when it comes to swimming.
4. Keep Your Pool Fenced
If you have a pool in your backyard, it should have a four-sided fence with self-closing and self-latching gates. Fences should also be at least four feet high and climb-resistant, meaning there are no places for hands to grasp or feet to step into. In addition to a pool fence, you should think about installing extra safety measures, such as a pool cover.
5. Always Maintain Constant Supervision
The most important safety feature that bodies of water have is you. You should always keep constant supervision of your children when they are in and around water. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, which is why it is crucial to be constantly watching your children. Avoid distracting activities such as talking on the phone or drinking alcohol, and never allow your children to be in or around water where you cannot see them.
Contact an Aurora Personal Injury Lawyer
Drowning is a tragic event, especially when it happens to a child. If your child has suffered injuries around a pool or other body of water, you may be entitled to compensation through a premises liability claim. You should contact a compassionate Kane County premises liability attorney to discuss your case. Get in touch with Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. to learn more about premises liability and talk about your options. Call our office at 630-907-0909 to set up a free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety.html
https://www.healthychildren.org/english/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Swimming-Pool-Safety.aspx
https://www.cdc.gov/safechild/drowning/index.html
