Last Updated on April 19, 2017
Water safety is very important as the warm weather approaches. It does not take much for a child to drown. Teaching children how to swim is only one way to prevent drowning. Many other systems are available and should be implemented.
• Fencing
The first step is making sure there is a fence around all pools, lakes, and any other bodies of water. If you have a lake near your residence, have a fenced yard. The fence should be no less than four feet tall and gaps are no more than four inches. This prevents children from climbing over or squeezing through the slats. Chain link enclosures are too easy to climb and should be avoided. All latches should be placed on the top of the fence where an adult can reach but the child cannot.
• Cover Pool
Pools should always be covered when not in use. The covers prevent debris from getting into the water, but it also keeps community animals and children out of the water. The covers should be kept taut so that if an adolescent climbs on top of the pool, they will not collapse in.
• Natural Body of Water Safety
When you are around natural bodies of water, you should have a life jacket on. Inflatable rings and wings should not be substituted for a floatation device when riding in a boat. Counties will set guidelines at their local lakes and beaches to keep their patrons safe. They have designated swimming zones where the water is safer and lifeguards are on duty. They also have regulations about when it is not safe to enter the water, such as windy days or when it has only been cold enough to freeze the top layer of the water.
Finally, children can drown in anything from buckets of water to bathtubs. It only takes an inch of water to cause a child to drown. Make sure the water is always drained and you should never leave a child’s side when they are in the bath.
