July 8, 2016
Six tips for child water safety this summer
|
|
|
| | Summer is here. Plan your family vacation with our 50-plus great ideas |
Dear Family Travelers:
Who knew we parents got so wrong?
But when it comes to water safety, according to new research by Safe Kids Worldwide, completed with support from Nationwide Insurance's Make Safe Happen program, parents have a lot of misconceptions about how to keep their kids safe around the water. For one thing, according to the research, the parents surveyed thought if there were lifeguards, they didn't need to be so vigilant. WRONG! Lifeguards aren't responsible to supervise individual children. They are there to enforce pool rules and rescue those in trouble. Parents may not be aware that there aren't always lifeguards either-like on most cruise ships.  Drowning is a leading cause of death among children with 2/3 of fatal drownings occurring between May and August. Many children who drown know how to swim, researchers say
Here are 6 tips that can save a child's life: - Assign a "water watcher," an adult who will keep her eyes on the water - no texting, drinking or reading. After 20 minutes or so, switch watchers. (Download a Water Watcher Card for the designated watcher - and find someone to take your place before you take your eyes off the kids.)
- Learn CPR. This is all the more important if you are going to be onboard a ship or at a resort where there won't be lifeguards. You can even take a Red Cross class online. Here is the Red Cross ready reference for pediatric CPR.
- Because drowning happens so fast, keep young children within arm's reach of an adult at all times. The American Academy of Pediatrics calls that "touch supervision." Close supervision by a responsible adult is the best way to prevent a child from drowning, the Academy says.
- Insist older children swim with a partner, though adults should still watch them carefully.
- Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as "floaties." They are not a substitute for approved life jackets and can give children and parents a false sense of security.
- Make sure kids know to stay away from pool and spa drains. Children have drowned by being trapped by powerful suction from a hot tub drain.
Find out what local and visiting kids have to say about nine great American travel destinations through our Kids' Guides Series from Globe Pequot Press.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
