Drowning / Water Safety
The importance of water safety cannot be overemphasized. In certain states where pools are common, DROWNING IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN CHILDREN UNDER 5. There are many steps you can take to protect your child. The most important safety device is your constant and undivided attention when your child is near water. Additionally, It should be noted that young children can drown in very small quantities of water, including the toilet and buckets of water. Remember, your infant or toddler is very top-heavy. Leaning into the toilet can cause your child to tip in head-first and he or she may not be able to pull their head out. The same applies to buckets full of water. A number of children die each year in buckets. Here are some tips that can help you make your home safer. Remember, The best drowning prevention involves constant and uninterrupted supervision by a responsible adult:

Never, ever, ever leave your child unattended when near water. An older sibling or teenager cannot be relied on to provide adequate supervision. Expecting a sibling or teenager to supervise your child near water puts your child in danger and unfairly burdens the baby-sitter. Don't do it. Don't leave your child in or near water alone for any reason

2. If You Have Doors Leading From Your Home To The Pool Area make sure that the doors have locks and that you lock them when the pool is not in use.

3. Obtain an additional line of defense. There are a number of products available commercially that will help protect your toddler young child. Among these are pool safety nets, pool alarms and motion detectors that can alert you if a child makes it into the pool area. You should use at least one or more of these to provide additional layers of defense

4. Some Pool Covers Can Collect Rainwater and present a drowning hazard themselves. Also, never leave a pool cover partially open as a child can become trapped under the cover. Your cover should either be completely off - or completely on!

Always supervise your child when he or she is in the tub. Do not leave, even for a moment. It is too easy to become distracted by a phone call or other event to risk leaving even for a moment. Having a cordless phone handy is very helpful. That way you can answer a call without leaving your child.

You can purchase toilet latches that will prevent your toddler from being able to open the toilet lid. This is a good idea for drowning prevention and cleanliness.

Never leave buckets of water around the house. Believe it or not a number of infants and toddlers have drowned in these.

Always drain the tub immediately after use. Make it a habit to pull the plug before you lift your child out. Otherwise a full tub can present a terrible danger for your child.

Always watch your child around water. There has been more than one instance where a child has drowned in full view of a number of people. Everyone just assumes that someone else is watching the child. In one documented case a child drowned in the middle of a pool party with over 10 people standing around the pool. His mother had gone back to the buffet for just a moment.

Do Not Assume "Floaties" or Other Personal Flotation Devices Will Prevent Drowning. You should always accompany and supervise your child when swimming. Wearing a life vest is a good idea for young children, just don't make the assumption that this lessens the burden of supervision. You will have to supervise your child even when he or she is wearing a life vest.

When Swimming with Your Child - be aware of a number of facts:

1. Small children loose body heat in the water faster than an adult. Monitor your child's comfort level and temperature in the water.

2. Consumption of large amounts of water can result in "Water Intoxication". Swallowing large quantities of water can dilute blood to the point where seizures and death can occur. Do not allow your baby or small child to swallow pool water.

3. Be Gentle When Introducing Your Child To The Water. Do not dunk an unwilling child. Do not dunk any infant under 3. You can harm your child physically and emotionally by doing this.

It warrants always being extremely careful around water where your child is concerned. There is no good substitute for close parental supervision. Drowning only takes a few moments

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Disclaimer: Note, these lists are provided to start you thinking about safety. We guarantee that these lists ARE NOT COMPLETE! You will have to evaluate your own home. No list can anticipate every circumstance. The personal health of yourself , your spouse, children or other factors may dictate that you take precautions not listed here, or that you ignore suggestions made here. Ultimately, you are responsible for your child's safety. When you are unsure or have questions always consult an appropriate professional. We have made every effort to check the accuracy of our information, but we do not guarantee it to be accurate or complete. Use your own judgments and always seek the advice of a physician when appropriate. These lists are intended only to help you identify potential problems. Read our TERMS OF SERVICE for additional information about the conditions and terms under which this list is supplied.