Safety Tips to Prevent Drowning Incidents this Summer:

By: Valerie T. Thompson, MD

Director of pediatric emergency services for UHealth Jackson Children’s Care

As the temperature heats up during the summer, more families are heading to the water for a fun way to cool down and spend time together. While swimming is a great way for kids to stay active during the school break, it can also be dangerous without adult supervision and proper water safety measures. Here are a few ways to prevent drowning incidents and stay safe while enjoying the water.

Pool Safety:

1. Supervision: Always make sure a designated adult is supervising children in and out of the water. This individual should be within arm’s length of the children, and should be free of distractions, like scrolling on social media, reading a book, cooking, or on the phone. If there are several kids in the water, you may need more than one designated adult. This individual should also be sober, meaning not under the influence of alcohol or any drug usage. If visiting a home, hotel, or vacation location with a pool, learn the safety measures regarding things like pool fences and gate locks, and make sure you are aware of the number of pools at the facility or hotel/resort.

2. Regroup and re-count: Make sure to frequently do a headcount of all children both inside and outside of the water.

3. Home and private pool safety: When enjoying the water from the comfort of your home, make sure your pool’s fences meet the recommended guidelines, as per the American Academy of Pediatrics. Avoid storing colorful toys and floatation devices in the pool, as they are attractive to young children who will try to enter the pool area to play with them.

Open and Natural Water Safety:

1. Check the weather: Be aware of weather forecast for tides and water conditions in your area before entering any open water. Make sure to heed warning flags upon arrival, and check for lifeguard warnings regarding current conditions, wind, surf, and ocean life. It is also helpful to familiarize yourself with potential natural hazards, such as underbrush and vegetation, limited visibility, or rocks.

2. Safety devices: Always make sure to wear a life jacket while boating and in open water, especially if you or your child are not strong swimmers. Life jackets help save lives and can reduce drowning risk. Do not rely on air-filled or foam toys to serve as life preservers.

3. Supervision: Just like in pools, always account for children both in and out of the water, especially young children or inexperienced swimmers who could be swept to sea.

General Water Safety:

1. Use a buddy system and do not swim alone!

2. Adults should avoid alcohol and drugs while enjoying the water, which also teaches adolescents that alcohol impairs judgment, coordination, and balance.

3. Be aware of other medical conditions that could affects a child’s safety while in the water. For example, epilepsy, respiratory, or cardiac illnesses may impair endurance, focus, balance, or orientation. It is also important to note any use of medications that may impair balance, such as some anxiety medications.

4. Swimming lessons and water safety lessons are beneficial for all children or adults planning to spend time in or near the water this summer.

5. Finally, learning basic CPR can help save a life if an injury or drowning incident were to occur.

For more tips and information about water safety, please visit the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Miami‘s blog at https://www.injuryfreemiami.org/water-safety/.