Swimming is great exercise, a good way to entertain children, and a soothing way to cool off when the weather turns hot. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that drowning is a leading cause of death for children under the age of 14. Taking proper precautions can keep the pool and beach fun and safe for the whole family. The following tips can decrease your risk of injury or death in the water:

· Never swim alone.

· Keep a cell phone nearby in case you need to call for help.

· Sign yourself and your children up for swimming lessons.

· Take a first aid class.

· Learn CPR.

· Never, under any circumstances, leave small children unsupervised close to the water. A small child can drown in a matter of seconds.

· Never allow a child to supervise another child in or near the water.

· Require small children and those who can’t swim to wear a Coast Guard–approved life jacket.

· If you have a pool at home, make sure you have the proper fencing and barriers needed to keep children out of the pool area.

· Install alarms in your home pool to let you know if someone has entered the pool area or gotten in the water.

· Talk to your children about the dangers of entrapment drowning and instruct them to stay away from all pool openings, including drains and pipes.

· In public swimming areas, make sure you stay within designated swimming boundaries that are watched by a lifeguard.

· To protect yourself from spinal injury, never dive head-first into shallow water or into water of which the depth is unknown to you.

· If caught in a rip current, do not fight the current but swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the current and can make your way to shore.

In addition to these safety tips, always wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to protect your skin from damage. Drink plenty of water, especially in the heat, to keep your body well hydrated. If you notice any signs of heat stroke, such as light-headedness or loss of consciousness combined with nausea, dizziness, a rapid pulse, and hot red skin absent of sweat, call 9-1-1 or seek immediate medical attention.

The staff at Plantation General Hospital wishes you and your family many fun-filled days this summer. If you have medical concerns, contact us. You can visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-256-7724 for a physician referral.

Sources:

American Red Cross

Pool Safely

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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