Water safety is something to think of all year round, but particularly in the summer – when aquatic activities like boating, swimming, and more are perhaps most popular. Though many may think of drowning deaths involving younger children, the reality is that drownings are also the second leading cause of preventable death through age 15, according to the CDC and National Safety Council.
Enjoy the summer safely with some important water safety tips:
· Don’t swim alone. Take a buddy! If you have a young child, don’t leave them alone, either.
· Swim in areas with lifeguard supervision. Particularly when it comes to young children, though, remember that lifeguards are not babysitters. Always supervise your own child and try to avoid any distractions that may arise.
· Learn CPR. Knowing what to do in case of an emergency, before actually experiencing an emergency, is crucial.
· When boating, make sure that everyone on board wears a correctly-fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Of the 613 boating-related deaths reported by the U.S. Coast Guard in 2019, 79% were drowning-related and 86% of those weren’t wearing life jackets.
· Don’t underestimate the strength needed to swim in a natural body of water like a lake or river, as opposed to a pool. The CDC reports that over half of all drownings amongst people 15 years and older happen in natural bodies of water.
· One of the best safety precautions to take – learn to swim, if you’re going to be in or around water this summer.