By Katherine Kenny, president of Phoenix American Heart Association Board
The temperatures are rising in Arizona, reaching record highs. And as the weather gets warmer, many parents are escaping the heat and taking their children for a swim.
Sadly, according to reports, drowning is the second leading cause of death in young children between ages 1 and 4. Water safety is essential for summertime fun and, just by making these small adjustments, parents can help ensure their kids are protected:
• Learn CPR: For drowning, the American Heart Association recommends rescue breathes along with compressions. Learning the life-saving skill could lead to you saving a person you know and love. You can go online and search for CPR courses in your area.
• Remember life jackets: Don’t leave them at home. Half of all boating deaths could be prevented with their use.
• Learn to swim: As stated previously, drowning is the second-leading cause of death in children between ages 1 and 4. It’s imperative that children know how to swim prior to entering the water.
• Family safety plan: It’s important for everyone in the family to be trained in CPR. Don’t wait. Make sure you’re all well-versed in the technique.
• Secure the pool: Install fencing with self-closing gates at least four feet high to separate the pool from house and yard.
• Teach safety: Have a discussion beforehand with your family and talk about risky behavior, such as diving or swimming in unfamiliar water, and alcohol or drug use while in or near water.
• Remove toys from the pool when not in use with supervision: Make sure children aren’t tempted to play unsupervised. And always keep a watchful eye on them when they are near the pool.
