THE YMCA PROVIDES TIPS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL DROWNINGS AS SUMMER KICKS OFF
The start of summer means more time outdoors by the pool. It also means an increased risk of accidental drowning. Drowning is fast and silent - it can happen in just 20 seconds. Children will rarely scream, splash, or call out for help. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of accidental death for children under 14 years of age. And although over 60% of parents say they supervise their children while swimming, many admit they are engaged in other distracting activities during that time. In fact, almost 40% of children who drowned in 2019 had no adult supervision at the time of the incident.
As more parents are working from home during the COVID pandemic, it may be tempting to let your kids splash around while you take a work call or answer an email from your cell phone. But now more than ever, it’s important to commit to watching your children distraction-free while they are around water.
“We always like to tell parents to enroll their child in swim lessons but unfortunately during the COVID crisis, most in-person swim lessons are not able to occur,” said Jennifer Prewitt, Associate VP of Aquatics at the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. “That’s why this summer, the YMCA is focusing on spreading the message of supervision. You should have eyes on your child at all times when they are around water.”
Before letting your children hit the water this summer, remember these few tips to ensure it’s an enjoyable and safe experience.
- Never swim alone. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty or an adult is watching.
- Supervise your children whenever they’re in water. Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or lake, make sure your children are within arm’s reach of you at all time. Download a Water Watcher Tag as a helpful reminder.
- Don’t engage in breath holding activities. Children shouldn’t hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can cause drowning and has several other severe physical side-effects.
- Wear a Life Jacket: Inexperienced, non-swimmers and kids should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water. If a child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural reaction may be to jump in the water to try to save them. Even if a child is a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling them underwater with them. The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them and pull them to safety. By using this technique children can help their friend without compromising their own safety.
Join the YMCA in committing to swim safe this summer. Visit KnowBeforeYouGo.org and YMCADallas.org for more information.
About the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas serves thousands of men, women and children each year, regardless of age, income or background. Anchored in 21 North Texas communities, the Dallas Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The Y ensures all people have equitable access to the essentials needed to become thriving members of the community. Daily, the Y bridges and fills individual and community needs as a catalyst for impactful change. The YMCA makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive, with three areas of focus: Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. To learn more or get involved in improving our local communities, have opportunities to make an impact and support your neighbors, please visit us at www.ymcadallas.org.