Just because it’s summer, that doesn’t mean teachers stop caring about the well-being of their students. Sadly, drowning and injuries around bodies of water skyrocket during the summer. We’ve assembled a number of water safety tips and resources for more information, and we hope you will share it with your parents and fellow teachers by social media or email, in hopes that it may save a life.
SafeKids.org offers up some sobering facts about drowning. It is now the leading cause of injury-related death among children between 1 and 4 years old. It’s also the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children 19 and under. Children less than a year old are now more likely to drown at home, in the bathtub or a bucket.
Tips From a Lifeguard
Natalie Livingston, who has been a lifeguard for over 25 years and often investigates drownings, has listed Ten Water Safety Tips everyone should know in an article linked here. We strongly suggest you read it, but some of the highlights include:
- Depth of Water vs. Height – Keeping small children out of deep water is an important, and often overlooked, factor.
- Designate Breaks – Accidents happen when kids get tired in the water and don’t realize it until they begin to struggle. Making kids get out of the water every 30 minutes for a break is a great practice.
- ‘Lifejackets Are Cool’ – Small kids may not like them, but lifejackets can make a huge difference, especially for inexperienced swimmers.
The Right Color of Swim Suit Could Save a Life
The Aquatic Safety Connection on Facebook provided this graphic, which shows how having the right color swim trunks can make a difference in seeing kids who may have gone beneath the surface of the water. Note how white swim trunks make a child look nearly invisible underwater, in some conditions.
They also want to remind parents and guardians to never depend on others to properly supervise children around water. They warn:
“Don’t expect YOU out of other people…
…especially when supervising around the water.
Other people may not:
-Pay attention like you do
-Have the same rules you do
-Have the same knowledge you do
-Have the same skills you do
-Have the same rules you do
-Stay focused like you do
-Know your kids like you do
It is often said that expectations are pre-meditated resentments. Don’t expect YOU out of other people!”
Pool Parties
It’s important to have rules and best practices set before hosting or supervising a pool party. Alive Solutions has listed ’13 Tips for Water Safety at a Pool Party’ in an article available to read by clicking here. Having a “Safety Briefing,” instituting a “Buddy System,” and having Designated “Water Watchers” are among their tips.
Suction Entrapment
Injuries around drains, grates, and covers is sadly, more common than many people realize. It is actually more common in spas and hot tubs than pools, so great care should be taken with children in each of these situations. Hair is the main cause of suction entrapment, so braiding or gathering long hair with a swim cap is encouraged. For more facts and tips about suction entrapment, click here to read an article about it.
if you have any other tips or resources about water safety we should add, please let us know!