Know Before You Go - Keeping Kids Safe Around Water
Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1-4. Minority children are 3 times more likely to drown. Studies indicate that 60% black children are unable to swim. Today, a residential pool is 14 times more likely to the take the life of a child than an automobile. Know Before You Go is committed to teaching the 3 basic rules of water safety. Memorize them. They could save a life.
- TEST AND TEACH
Have your child’s swimming skills tested at your local Y absolutely FREE. Make an appointment today. If your child is not a strong swimmer enroll them in swim classes. The Y offers swimming instruction for children of all ages (6 months and up). If your child is a good swimmer, there are advanced and intermediate classes available to improve those skills.
- WATCH AND GUARD
Appoint one adult to supervise all pool activities. Never assume that many adults at the pool equates to a lot of supervision. People drop their guard thinking someone else is paying attention. By assigning a single individual to watch the kids, you can make sure that your children are safe.
Guarding the pool goes beyond making sure an adult is watching when the pool is in use. Guarding means making sure that the pool is safe when no one is around. This is done by adding barriers of protection, such as a non-climbable fence or wall to keep children out when you are away. Or by adding locks to the gate. Or alarms.
- THROW, DON'T GO
If you see a child struggling in the water at a pool or lake, NEVER jump in to rescue. More often than not, the panicking victim will pull the would-be rescuer down with them. Instead, throw out a Coast Guard approved flotation device or use a pole to reach the drowning person. Never jump in to save.
