July 4th festivities are just a few days away, and the summer swim season is heating up!

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children – and non-fatal drownings resulting in long-term health problems and costly hospital stays – it’s important to stay vigilant year-round for water risks outside, and even inside your home.

4 Preventative Actions to Take:

1. Check for water dangers at home and where you visit. If you have a pool at home, it’s essential to have multiple layers of protection. Install four-sided fence around pools, empty water containers immediately after use, and block unsupervised access to bathrooms. 

2. Provide close, constant supervision in and around water. Never leave children unattended near water, whether it’s a pool, bathtub, or any other body of water. The AAP recommends staying within arm’s-length, providing constant “touch supervision.” Assign a “water watcher” to keep constant eyes on children at parties and picnics. DO NOT reply on inflatable toys or swim rings to replace adult supervision.  

3. Start swim lessons as soon as your child is ready. Enroll your child in age-appropriate swimming lessons to develop their water skills and confidence. Survival swim lessons can start in babies as early as 6 months. However, it’s important to remember that swimming lessons do not make a child drown-proof. Check out your local YMCA and fitness centers for toddler and kid swim lessons. 

4. Be ready to respond. Learn first aid and CPR techniques so that you can respond promptly in case of an emergency. These skills can make a significant difference in preventing fatal outcomes and providing immediate assistance while waiting for medical professionals to arrive.