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Keep your kids safe while swimming this summer!
Childhood drowing is 100% preventable! Please help The Riverside County EMS Agenc keep you and your children safe! They are dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries to children in our county.
FACTS FROM INJURY PREVENTION SERVICES
- Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional or accidental injury-related death to children ages 1-4 years old in Riverside County
- 86% of all drowning and near-drowning incidents occur in backyard pools or spa/Jacuzzi.
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There are over one million backyard pools in California without safety features because they were built before the Swimming Pool Safety Act of 1998. One could be in your neighbourhood. -
Drowning is a quiet event - no splashing, no screaming, and no noise at all. -
A child can; drown in less than 1 inch (just enough to cover mouth and nose) of water, lose consciousness in 30 seconds or less, have irreversible brain damage after 4 - 6 minutes or survive a drowning with severe brain damage requiring life-long medical care. -
Most children under the age of five have no fear of water and no concept of death. Water is associated with play.
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PREVENTION TIPS
- SUPERVISE! Never leave a child alone near a pool or spa, bathtub, pond, toilet, bucket of liquid, or any standing water.
- Assign an adult Water Watcher to keep their eyes on the water at all times.
- Do not allow children to play near the pool or spa.
- Place toilets lids down or install safety latches on the toilet lids to prevent toddlers from opening and playing in the toilet.
- Empty wading pools immediately after use and store upside-down.
- Floaties, inflatable water wings and water toys are not water safety devices and should never be used for that purpose.
- The best safety option is a Personal Floatation Device (PDF) or Life Vest. Only purchase a life vest that has a "Coast Guard approved" tag or stamp on the inside of the vest.
- Never rely on devices or swimming lessons to protect children.
- Never drink alcoholic beverages before or during swimming or supervising children.
- Never assume your child is "drown proof" because they have taken swim lessons.
- Swimming lessons should be on-going, from a well recognized program with staff that are certified in basic CPR, water rescue and first aid.
BE PREPARED
- Learn CPR & First Aid
- Know your neighborhood and the homes your child visits. Is there a pool? Is it properly protected? If the children will be swimming, who will be supervising them?
- Learn how to swim and learn proper rescue techniques.
- Keep rescue equipment at near the pool. Do NOT use air-filled swimming aids (such as water rings) in place of life preservers. These devices can give parents and children a false sense of security, which may increase the risk of drowning.
- Keep a portable telephone and emergency phone numbers nearby.
IF A WATER EMERGENCY OCCURS
- Pull the child from the water and place on his or her back
- Check for breathing; clear mouth and nose of any obstructions
- Instruct another adult to call for emergency help
- Begin rescue breathing or CPR as needed until the child is revived or help arrives.
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