Keep Kids Afloat: Learn Drowning Prevention

Drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages one to four. You don’t need to go very far in Florida to find an open body of water. The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office recommends a multi-layered approach for parents and caregivers to help prevent drowning.

• Install a self-closing and self-latching gate around the pool so that children do not have direct access to the pool from the house.
• Alarm every house door that leads to the pool to alert you if a child has gone outside.
• Install a pool surface alarm.
• Install a safety pool cover to securely cover the water area.
• NEVER leave children unsupervised in or around a body of water even for a moment. Don’t be distracted by doorbells, phone calls or chores. If you must leave the pool area, take the child with you, making sure the pool gate latches securely when it closes.
• Don’t allow children to play in the pool area. Remove all toys, tricycles – anything that might attract a child – from the vicinity.
• During pool parties or family beach gatherings, designate an adult to watch the children.
• Avoid keeping water or solutions in buckets and other containers when toddlers are in the home.
• Never leave an infant or small child unattended in the bathroom, even for a few moments. Children can drown in as little as 2 inches of water.
• Talk with baby-sitters about pool safety, supervision and drowning prevention.
• Don’t rely on flotation devices to protect your children in the water. These devices can slip out from underneath an active child.
• Children with long hair should clip it close to their heads, braid it or wear a cap. If long hair gets near a pool outlet the suction can trap the hair and possibly cause drowning.
• Respond quickly if someone calls for help. Post CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) instructions and the 911 emergency number in the pool area. Check with the American Red Cross, American Heart Association or Nassau County Fire Rescue for a schedule of CPR classes.
• Keep lifesaving equipment, such as a pole, life preserver and rope – in the pool area. Hang them from the fence so people won’t trip on them.
• Don’t assume that a drowning incident couldn’t happen to you or your family. It’s 100 percent preventable but no one is immune.