Always Keep Your Eyes on Children
Summer is here. The weather is warm, and children can play outside and in the water. Water play is a fun and healthy activity for children if we use appropriate precautions. Drowning is the number 1 cause of death in children ages 1 to 4 years, after birth defects. Water safety is critically important and should be layered, using multiple means of keeping children safe.
The first rule to water safety is to keep eyes on children. Be always within reach of children in the water. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends touch supervision anytime children are in or near water. Even if a child has had swim lessons, they should be monitored in the water. If a child is surprised or frightened, they may forget the skills they have learned. It is safer to swim in pools or water with a lifeguard on duty. Even if a lifeguard is present, a parent or responsible adult should be providing direct, constant supervision to children swimming or playing in water.
Swim lessons play a part in keeping children safe if we know their limits. Adults supervising children in pools or open waters should be able to swim and know CPR. There is no evidence that swim lessons for infants under 1 year old protects them from drowning. An infant class, especially a parent child class, can be fun and enhance motor and social development. Just know that the classes for infants under 1 year old are not water safety. There is some evidence that swim lessons between the ages of 1 and 4 years may help prevent children from drowning. If you are unsure if your child is ready for swim lessons, ask your pediatrician. Once they are over the age of 4, most children can learn basic water safety and swimming. After the age of 4, swim lessons are important. It is critical to remember that even if a child has had a water safety class or swim lessons, an adult still needs to provide direct supervision.
Especially with toddlers, drowning does not always involve large bodies of water. Drowning can occur in kiddie pools, bathtubs, or even buckets. Playing in the water is fun for children and can keep children busy and active. However, even in a small pool or tub, children should be supervised. An adult should be close enough to always reach them. After playing outdoors or bathing, all pools, tubs, buckets and other water receptacles should be emptied.
Boating is a popular summer activity. All adults and children on a boat should wear an approved personal flotation device, known as a life jacket. Even if one can swim, life jackets are important. Children learn by watching, so adults should model safe behavior in and around water. Children should not be on boats until they can wear an approved personal flotation device (which would be a minimum weight of 18 pounds depending on the device). Always read the safety material and directions for any water safety devices. Floaties and water wings are toys, not safety devices.
Finally, to stay safe in outdoor waters, children should be protected from skin damage and sunburn. Young skin burns quickly and is easily damaged by the sun. Infants under 6 months should be kept in full shade and wear protective clothing as much as possible. If shade or protective clothing is not available, apply sunscreen to small areas of the body such as the face or exposed areas. For infants 6 months and over and older children, apply sunscreen to all areas of the body, avoiding the eyes. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has SPF of 15 to 50. Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before sun exposure, then reapply every 2 hours or after being in the water. Sunscreens with zinc oxide can be used on sensitive areas like the face, nose, and ears. If your child reacts to sunscreen or if you have specific questions about types of sunscreens, ask your pediatrician.
Have a fun and safe summer!
