The solar is shining, the temperature is rising, and the countdown to the top of the college 12 months has begun. For households within the Midwest, which means it’s virtually pool time! While the southern states have had their swimming pools open year-round, Midwesterners are digging out their swimsuits, blowing up their floaties, renewing pool memberships, and uncovering yard swimming pools. Yet, earlier than you and your little ones cannonball into summer season, there are some issues you must know to hold your loved ones protected.
Last week, we talked about drowning prevention for teenagers. This week, we’re persevering with the theme and exploring methods to stop drowning in youthful kids. Drowning is the primary explanation for injury-related loss of life in kids ages 1-4 and the quantity two trigger in kids ages 5-14 after motorcar accidents. And for each loss of life, one other seven kids obtain care within the emergency division for nonfatal drownings. The danger for pediatric drowning triples when kids have their first birthday as a result of they’re cell and curious, however most can’t swim. So how do you retain your little ones protected this summer season? Remembering to swim “SAFER” may help.
S – Swim Lessons
It’s by no means too early or too late to discover ways to swim. The American Academy of Pediatrics helps early introduction to water. Swim classes are among the finest methods to stop drowning in kids. Even infants will be taught to return to the floor and roll over to their backs to drift.
A – Adult Supervision
Drowning isn’t the dramatic screaming, splashing, and flailing we see on TV. It’s silent and quick, solely taking seconds for a kid to go underneath and slip out of sight. Drownings typically happen not simply when there’s a lack of supervision, however relatively a lapse in supervision. Touch supervision wherein kids are inside arms’ attain is critical for younger kids. Just having many adults round isn’t sufficient. Often the extra adults round, the extra they’re distracted. Consider having a “Water Watcher Badge” committing the grownup to targeted supervision. Water Watcher Badges will quickly be obtainable at St. Louis Children’s Hospital Safety Stop.
F- Fences and Gates
Backyard swimming pools are enjoyable however pose a fair increased danger of drowning. Sixty-nine % of drownings happen throughout non-swimming instances when kids should not anticipated to be round water. Children wander and discover. If there’s a pool close by, they may discover it. All swimming pools ought to have 4 sides of fencing round them, and the fourth wall shouldn’t be the aspect of the home. Fences scale back drowning by fifty %.
E- Emergency Preparedness
If different security measures fail, bystander intervention is most necessary in resuscitating a drowning sufferer. Learn CPR. Knowing the steps of giving two breaths adopted by 30 compressions can save a life whereas emergency medical companies are on the way in which. St. Louis Children’s Hospital gives Friends & Family CPR lessons for these trying to study life-saving CPR abilities.
R- Regulation Life Vests
As a lot as we wish to assume that water wings, pool noodles, and rafts are protected, these floatation aids instill a false sense of safety in novice swimmers. They can simply fall off and put kids in harmful conditions. They should not a substitute for contact supervision or U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
Drowning could also be a number one explanation for loss of life in younger kids, however it’s 100% preventable. So have a enjoyable summer season, and bear in mind to swim “SAFER!”
In case of a medical emergency with a baby, decide the place the closest accredited, Level I pediatric trauma middle is situated. St. Louis Children’s Hospital has six pediatric ER areas throughout the St. Louis and southern Illinois area, together with St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital at Memorial Hospital Belleville, Children’s Hospital at Memorial Hospital Shiloh, Children’s Hospital at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Children’s Hospital at Northwest HealthCare, and Children’s Hospital at Progress West Hospital.