Too often when
rescue crews arrive on the scene they hear the people say, “it
was just a few seconds”. Just a few seconds is all it takes for
a child to drown. Children can be victims of “Silent Drowning”
as children do not make a splash sound when they fall into a
pool.
While drowning can
occur in the child’s own backyard swimming pool, drowning can
also occur in buckets of water, bathtubs, toilets, dog water
bowls, canals and ponds. Small children do not have the upper
body strength to lift themselves out of one of these dangerous
situations. Survival of a drowning incident can sometimes leave
the child with permanent brain damage.
Drowning and near
drowning can be prevented. Anyone involved with the supervision
of children needs to be aware of the dangers associated with any
standing water.
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Know where children are at all times.
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Use an approved barrier to separate the pool from the house.
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Never allow children to be alone near a pool, pond or any
water source.
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Have lifesaving devices near the pool, such as a pole/hook,
or flotation device.
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Keep large objects such as tables, chairs, toys and ladders
away from pool fences.
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Post the 9-1-1 number on the phone.
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Do not allow children to play around the pool and store all
toys outside of the pool area.
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If you leave the pool area, take the children with you.
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Always have someone responsible as a “designated child
watcher” around the water source
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Learn to swim and teach children to swim.
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Never swim alone, or while under the influence of alcohol or
medications
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Never swim when thunder or lightning is present.
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Never dive into unfamiliar or shallow bodies of water.
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Learn CPR.
