Water Safety Tips

Water safety is an important topic that we must educate ourselves about as parents. Knowing how to be safe in and around water is one way to keep your family safe. While water safety is somewhat of an unpleasant topic, it continues to be an important one. Even if you think you already know everything about water safety, take a moment to review these educational tips. I few minutes of reading may help to save a life. Knowing the risks is the key to preventing injuries and or death.

 Children are naturally drawn to water and quickly discover the fun of splashing in it. Sensory play especially with water should be encouraged but ensuring that this is done safely is essential. You can never be too careful when it comes to water safety whether you are inside or out.

Close attention needs to be placed on safety around water to prevent drowning, scalding or electrocution. Regardless of your child’s age – whether infant, toddler preschoolers, school age or if you have young, curious, or even clumsy pets, it’s important to know that the number one safety tip is Supervision.

Here is why …. Did you know that babies can drown in as little as just 1 or 2 inches of water? It can happen silently, and within seconds, especially infants, because they don’t have much neck and muscle control.

Remember: Never leave your child alone or in the care of another young child in or near water—not even for a moment.

Most child drownings inside the home occur in bathtubs, and more than half of bathtub deaths involve children under 1 year of age.

Here are a few simple safe water tips to live by and share with anyone who cares for your child.

Bathroom water safety tips:

• Put toilet lids down. Install safety latches or locks on all toilet seat lids to keep curious little fingers from lifting them.
• Pull the plug on the tub. Consider removing the bathtub drain plug when it’s not in use to avoid the tub filling if a child turns on the faucet.
• Keep the bathroom door closed. As an added layer of safety, use safety latches or doorknob covers to keep bathrooms closed.
• Check the water temperature. Before putting your baby in the bath, check the water temperature with your wrist or elbow. Tap water that’s too hot can quickly cause burns serious enough to require a hospital visit or even surgery. In fact, hot water scalding is the top cause of burns among babies and young children.
• The hottest temperature at the faucet should be no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help avoid scald burns. In many cases you can adjust your water setting to not go above this temperature.

Outdoor water safety:

• Never leave a filled, open-top water container unattended. Whenever they’re not in use, be sure to completely empty any liquids in containers such as:
• buckets and pails used for cleaning or painting
• wading pools
• coolers with melted ice
• large water bowls for pets
• trash cans or recycling bins that may collect rainwater
• secure swimming pools, including large, inflatable above-ground pools and other temporary pools, should be surrounded by a fence on all 4 sides.

Pools:

• Assign a qualified Adult or youth with life saving certificate to supervise children
• Ensure life jackets and flotation devices are used with supervision
• Ensure Life preservers are readily available
• Use a water watcher sign. Assign a “water watcher” to supervise at all times and ensure they know their responsibility.

• Pool fences should: be at least 4 feet high and have no opening under it or between slats more than 4 inches wide.
• Check the gate frequently to be sure it works and keep it always locked.
• Keep toys out of the pool area when not in use so that children are not tempted to try to get through the fence.
• Be sure to always cover and lock hot tubs and spas right after using them.

Use touch supervision

• Have a towel within reach so you can always keep a hand on your baby so that you are within arms reach at all times.
• Before your baby begins to crawl or walk, check your home and surrounding area for any other potential water dangers.

Water and electricity don’t mix

• Be sure to keep electrical cords, battery powered devices and other power sources away from water and out of the reach of children.

It’s important that you teach your children water safety!

• Teach children the guidelines, rules, and boundaries around water that they will understand and follow.
• HAVE FUN AND PLAY SAFE!