Anyone who owns or visits a pool should think seriously about water safety, especially if there are kids involved. The sad reality is that drowning is the No. 1 cause of injury death for American toddlers aged 1 to 4. You can’t be too careful in taking precautions to prevent a tragic accident.
To keep the pool a source of fun and not heartache, it’s vital to take steps to prevent injury. In order to do that, you need to know where and how drowning is likely to happen. Here is some information worth remembering:
- Drowning can happen even in shallow water. Just because a child is playing in the shallow end of the pool doesn’t mean he or she is safe. Drowning can happen in as little as eight gallons of water — and even in a bathtub.
- Drowning typically won’t involve a cry for help. If everyone’s quiet in the pool, that isn’t necessarily a sign that all is well. Because the body is designed to breathe first and then talk, speech isn’t possible if breathing is obstructed by water.
- There are other warning signs. Drowning doesn’t look like the movies portray it. A person won’t be flailing around. Instead, warning signs are a head that’s low in the water with the mouth at water level and slowly bobbing in and out. When you see someone with glassy eyes, a head tilted backwards and mouth ajar, take action. This person may be in need of help.
If you’re interested in learning more about pool safety, take a look at the resource below. It lists several practical ways you can help prevent accidents or injuries at the pool and protect the ones in your care.
Pool Safety Checklist provided by Little Otter Swim School
Author bio: John Kirk is the owner of Little Otter Swim School, a swim instruction school that provides families with an alternative to “typical” swim lessons. He has 14 years of experience in the industry and focuses on providing quality swim lessons in a safe and fun environment, while having children gain respect and love for the water.
