Water Safety

Summer wouldn't be the same without trips to the pool or lake. But these enjoyable outings too often turn tragic, when children - or adults - fall victim to accidents around water. That's why it's important to follow a few simple water safety procedures designed to ensure a safe, enjoyable summer for everyone.

Here are a few tips to keep your kids safe around water:

• Never leave children unattended around water. Tragically, the most frequent drowning victims are children between the ages of 12 and 35 months old.
• Install and maintain a pool fence that completely surrounds your pool or spa. The fence gate should be self-closing, with the latch high enough off the ground so that children cannot reach it.
• Keep doors and gates to areas with water closed at all times.
• Keep toys and pets away from the pool area. Children are often attracted to them.
• Keep rescue equipment in a clearly accessible place near the pool, and post emergency procedures in the pool area. In an emergency, call 911 immediately.
• Teach your children how to swim. But remember that you can never "drown-proof" your child. Swimming lessons do not prevent water accidents.
• Learn CPR. Rural/Metro offers CPR instruction courses in your area - just call to register.
• Teach good water safety habits. Never allow children to run around water or "dunk" another child while swimming. Children who "cry wolf" can cause confusion when a real emergency occurs.
• At family gatherings or parties, designate an adult to supervise the pool area.
• Drowning can occur in as little as a few inches of water. Buckets, the bathtub, and the toilet should be considered drowning hazards.

Water accidents happen to adults, too. Here are a few tips on how to avoid dangerous situations around water:

• Don't drink excessive amounts of alcohol - it can inhibit your judgment, reaction time and coordination.
• Always make sure the water is deep enough before diving. The rule of thumb is always to jump "feet first" the first time.
• Know your limits. Swimming is great exercise, but fatigue can mean trouble.
• Do not swim after heavy meals. You won't be able to move and react as quickly.
• Never swim during thunder or other storms.

Boating presents special dangers, but can be safe and enjoyable if you follow these safety rules:

• Never operate a boat under the influence of alcohol.
• Insist that everyone use a personal flotation device, especially children. Never allow a passenger to use a life jacket that is too big or too small.
• Children sometimes panic when they fall out of a boat. And while personal flotation devices are designed to keep children afloat, they may not keep a child face-up. Teach children what to do if they fall in the water suddenly.
• Be careful when swimming in water under 70 degrees Fahrenheit - it can cause hypothermia.

What to do in an emergency

• Pull the victim from the water and call 911 immediately.
• If necessary, begin CPR while help is on the way.