The solar is shining, the temperature is rising, and the countdown to the top of the college yr has begun. For households within the Midwest, which means it’s nearly pool time! Whereas 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. But, earlier than you and your little ones cannonball into summer time, there are some issues it’s best to know to .
Final week, we talked about drowning . This week, we’re persevering with the theme and exploring methods to stop drowning in youthful youngsters. Drowning is the primary explanation for injury-related dying in youngsters ages 1-4 and the quantity two trigger in youngsters ages 5-14 after motorized vehicle accidents. And for each dying, one other seven youngsters obtain care within the emergency division for nonfatal drownings. The chance for pediatric drowning triples when youngsters 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 secure this summer time? Remembering to swim “SAFER” may also help.
S – Swim Classes
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 top-of-the-line methods to stop drowning in youngsters. Even infants might be taught to return to the floor and roll over to their backs to drift.
A – Grownup 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 fairly a lapse in supervision. Contact supervision during which youngsters are inside arms’ attain is critical for younger youngsters. Simply having many adults round isn’t sufficient. Usually the extra adults round, the extra they’re distracted. Contemplate having a “Water Watcher Badge” committing the grownup to centered supervision. Water Watcher Badges will quickly be obtainable at .
F- Fences and Gates
Yard swimming pools are enjoyable however pose an excellent greater threat of drowning. Sixty-nine p.c of drownings happen throughout non-swimming instances when youngsters usually are not anticipated to be round water. Kids 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 cut back drowning by fifty p.c.
E- Emergency Preparedness
If different security measures fail, bystander intervention is most necessary in resuscitating a drowning sufferer. Be taught CPR. Understanding the steps of giving two breaths adopted by 30 compressions can save a life whereas emergency medical providers are on the way in which. St. Louis Kids’s Hospital presents for these trying to be taught life-saving CPR expertise.
R- Regulation Life Vests
As a lot as we prefer to assume that water wings, pool noodles, and rafts are secure, these floatation aids instill a false sense of safety in novice swimmers. They will simply fall off and put youngsters in harmful conditions. They aren’t a substitute for contact supervision or U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
Drowning could also be a number one explanation for dying in younger youngsters, however it’s 100% preventable. So have a enjoyable summer time, and bear in mind to swim “SAFER!”
In case of a medical emergency with a baby, decide the place the closest accredited, Degree I pediatric trauma heart is situated. St. Louis Kids’s Hospital has six pediatric ER places throughout the St. Louis and southern Illinois area, together with , , , , , and .