Water is all around us. From the half-full mop bucket left standing in the basement to the nearby lake or local swimming pool where we’ll spend time this summer, water hazards are everywhere. So, it’s no wonder that drowning is the leading cause of preventable death for children ages 1 to 4.
“It can happen in seconds. Often, it’s just a quick lapse of attention,” said SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s Safe Kids Coordinator, Kaitlyn Vogel, RN. In fact, Missouri has a higher than average rate of pediatric drownings each year, indicating work needs to be done to educate our families and keep our kids safe.
According to Vogel, “The 12 reported deaths last year seriously underrepresent the magnitude of life-altering injuries due to near drowning.” She points out that survivors often sustain permanent damage caused by insufficient air getting to the brain during a drowning incident. These can cause a long-term need for ventilation, delays in development, motor delays, etc.
It’s also important to realize that drowning is usually silent. Vogel reports that when we see a drowning on television, it’s usually accompanied by splashing, gasping, and screaming for help. But in real life there’s typically no noise or disruption, making it very easy to overlook until it’s too late.
Five ways to help prevent drownings
As a parent there are a variety of ways you can limit risk to your children:
- Be aware of the water in your home. In the right circumstance, anyone – even an adult – can drown in an inch of water. But toddlers are most at risk for drowning in small amounts of water. Buckets, bird feeders, and bathtubs can all cause serious injury in an instant. Don’t leave standing water anywhere around your home. Swimming pools should always be behind a locked fence with no access for children. Baby pools should always be supervised and emptied immediately after use.
- Insist on swim lessons at an early age. According to Vogel, “It’s important that every child know how to swim. Any child who does not know how to swim should always be in a life preserver. And be sure to test swimming ability every summer before taking off the life preserver. They may need a refresher course to be safe.” Many municipalities offer free or low-cost swimming lessons to local families.
- Everyone needs supervision, even with a lifeguard. “Although swimming in a supervised pool is safer than not, you should always be within an arm’s reach of your child, and your teen needs to be watched as well,” said Vogel. In busy pools or open bodies of water, it can be impossible for the lifeguard to watch everyone. However, when swimming at a beach with a lifeguard, ask about where it’s safest to swim – and which spots you should avoid, due to undercurrents, etc.
- Rock the neon! According to Vogel, “Studies have shown that brightly colored swimsuits are more visible from the surface. The typical blue, black, or white suits are very hard to see underwater.” Make sure your life preservers are brightly colored, too.
- Use a “Water Watcher” system. “At social events, we often assume everyone’s watching the kids, when actually no one is watching,” said Vogel. “One specific person needs to be assigned at every moment.” She indicates it’s best to vary the responsibility throughout the event and have a visible sign of who’s on duty. This helps both the “watcher” and those who might be inclined to distract them. SSM Health Cardinal Glennon offers free “Water Watcher” lanyards as part of the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon safety program. You can access a lanyard during one of the many community events that Cardinal Glennon attends throughout the region each season. To learn more about upcoming events, please email cgchchildsafety@ssmhealth.com.
Download 10 tips to keep your kids healthy for more information on water safety and other important ways to safeguard your child’s health and well-being.
Learn more about the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Safety Program.
