Check Your Health: Keeping kids safe around water

(KUTV) - Swimming pools and lakes are a great way for families to spend time together, but it’s also important to take extra precautions to keep kids safe. In Utah, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children under age 14, said Jessica Strong, community health manager at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital.

“There are a number of things families can do to prevent tragedy, including teaching children to swim and always supervising them around water,” Strong said. “If a child is missing, always check nearby water first. Also, we recommend learning CPR.”

Strong recommends the following actions to help keep kids safe at pools:

• Be sure adults are present and actively watching children when they swim.
• Take turns with other adults so there is always a dedicated water-watcher.
• Wear a life jacket. Water wings are not sufficient floatation devices, and can deflate or fall off.
• If you have a pool, keep a locked gate around it at all times.

Use extra caution and care to supervise children near lakes, rivers and streams.

• Everyone should wear a coast-guard approved life jacket when playing in bodies of water.
• Teach children to stay away from water while hiking or camping.
• If a child falls in, call 911. Don’t jump in after them.

Water at any depth can be hazardous.

• Young children are top-heavy. Swimming pools, bathtubs, and containers with even a little water can result in a toddler falling in head first and possibly, unable to get out of the water by themselves.
• When not in use, kiddie pools and other containers should be drained and turned upside-down to prevent injury.

More information: PrimaryChildrens.org/Safety.