 |
|
|
| |
Water is fun, but it deserves respect from both children and adults.
The following water safety rules can help you keep your family safe and healthy
during the summer months and throughout the year:
- Make certain children are supervised by adults at all times while in or near
water. It is best if parents are in the water with a child.
- Alcohol and water do not mix. Never swim or go boating when you have been
drinking alcoholic beverages. Remember, your life and the lives of your family
members depend on it. Often, children drown in the presence of adults who
have been drinking.
- Children are normally ready for
swimming lessons when they are
3 or 4 years of age. The right age
for lessons will vary from one
child to another.
- Children should stay in the part
of the pool or lake that is safe for
their swimming ability.
- Allow only one person at a time
on a diving board. A child should
not dive head first into a pool or
unknown waters.
- Never allow running or pushing
in pool areas.
- Children should be out of the
pool if the adult has to attend to
personal needs or answer the
phone in the home.
- If a pool is not surrounded by a fence, the water should be drained from it
when not in use.
- Never allow children to play or swim in rivers or other unknown waters. There
may be dangerous currents, rocks or unknown depths. River currents can cause
drowning even among the strongest of swimmers. Polluted water may be a
health hazard.
- Enclose backyard pools with at least six-foot-high fencing. The gate should be
self-closing and self-locking. The fence and gate should be of a material a child
cannot climb. The pool should not be open to a door or window.
- Use a safety float line to separate shallow water from deeper water. Mark pool
depths clearly.
- Empty wading pools after each use. Never allow children to run or jump in
wading pools.
- Only designated swimming areas of a lake should be used.
- Children and adults should wear approved personal flotation devices when in a
boat. Small children also should wear flotation devices while playing near water
or on piers.
- Inflatable pool toys never should be used to keep a child afloat.
- Children should use the buddy system when swimming, regardless of their age
or ability. This places an experienced swimmer at the side of your child while in
the water.
- Protect children from hot tubs, as well. Always supervise children near hot tubs.
Young children may faint when in hot tubs because a greater body surface is
exposed to the heat.
- Be aware of water hazards in the winter. Never go on a pond, lake or river
unless you are certain it is solidly frozen. Do not allow your children to play on
ponds, lakes or other bodies of water during the winter months. Many
drownings occur in winter months, when adults or children fall through the ice.
Education is important
- No one younger than 16 years of age should operate a boat or a personal
watercraft.
- You should participate in a safe boater course.
- Families, especially those with backyard pools, should know how to perform
cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Classes are offered by many hospitals and the
American Red Cross. Classes also are offered by Children’s Health Education
Center. Call (414) 765-9355 for more information.
|
|
| |
|
|
