Keep Safety In Mind When Near Water

Drowning has taken a tragic toll in Oklahoma several times this summer; and with the 4th of July holiday weekend upon us, child safety experts at Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center urge adults to put even more effort into prevention.

"Drowning is devastating, completely devastating, to families when it happens. And it's totally preventable, meaning you can stop it if you plan ahead," said Dr. Amanda Bogie, emergency medicine specialist at Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center.

Unlike the dramatic splashes and head bobs depicted in movies and on TV, real drownings happen quickly and often without cries for help; and whether your child is age 2, 4 or even 14 or older, all children are at risk of drowning.

Nationally, more than 900 children age 14 and younger die each year from drowning. It is the second leading cause of accident-related deaths for children under 14, following motor vehicle accidents.

Prevent Drowning
Dr. Amanda Bogie, a pediatric emergency specialist at Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center and the National SAFE KIDS Campaign offer these water safety tips:

In Swimming Pools

• Never take your eyes off a child who is in or near a swimming pool, hot tub or wading pool, even for a moment.
• Make sure your fence is locked properly at all times.
• Empty and turn over wading pools immediately after use.
• Parents should learn infant and child CPR and keep rescue equipment, a telephone and emergency numbers by the pool.
• For a pool party, hire a lifeguard or designate someone to watch the pool and take 30-minute rotations.
• Children should be taught not to go near the pool drain. Children who get hair or body parts caught can drown. Pin up long hair when in a pool, hot tub and/or spas.
• Have multiple levels of protection and prevention to minimize risk.

At Home

• Never be more than an arm's length from a child in or around water, including bathtubs, sinks, toilets and buckets.
• Keep doors to bathrooms and utility rooms closed and secured with latches on the outside of doors, beyond the child's reach.
• Empty buckets and similar containers immediately after use and store upside down out of the child's reach.
• Always keep toilet lids down or install toilet safety latches to prevent toddlers from opening the lids.

Around Open Water

• Never allow young children to swim alone, make sure older children swim with buddies and are supervised by an adult.
• Make sure the entire family wears U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets when on boats, near open bodies of water or when participating in water sports. Air-filled water wings are not a safe substitute.
• Never rely on a life jacket or swimming lessons to protect a child from drowning.
• Make sure children swim in designated areas. Check the depth of the water before swimming or diving.