Toddler Safety Near Water...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for young children ages 1 to 4. Protect your toddlers this summer if your vacation or fun is anywhere near water.

Everyone looks forward to the lazy days of summer, and water recreation offers a great reprieve from the summer heat. It also poses certain safety risks when it comes to children—particularly toddlers.

Water, Water Everywhere

While most toddlers love the water, drowning can happen in less than two minutes. Therefore, it is important to practice splash smarts.

Protect your toddler from the water this summer by:

* Avoiding chewing gum and eating food when swimming
* Being attentive to the weather, making sure to evacuate swimming and boating areas at the first sign of a storm
* Ensuring he or she is wearing water-resistant sunscreen and reapplying often
* Having your toddler drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
* Having your toddler wear a life jacket when in the water or on a boat
* Knowing how deep the water is before your toddler jumps in a pool
* Maintaining constant visual supervision and keeping kids within arm’s reach. Also, guardians should be trained in lifesaving techniques such as CPR and have rescue equipment such as a life preserver on hand at all times in case an accident should occur
* Obeying all posted signs and rules

It is also important for guardians of toddlers to remember that at this age water can be dangerous in other places besides a pool, such as water located in buckets, bathtubs and even puddles caused by a summer rain. Also, toddlers should not be allowed in hot tubs until they can sit with their heads completely out of the water with their feet touching the bottom due to the risk of overheating.

Reviewed by Beth Rice, EMT-B CPR and Safe Sitter coordinator at St.Vincent.