Water Safety Tips
Sunday's tragic death of a 3-year-old in a pool in Carlton County underscores the dangers of water to children.
"Drowning is one of the leading causes of death among children ages 1 to 4, in part because it can happen so quickly," said American College of Emergency Physicians President Dr. Linda L. Lawrence. "It only takes a few seconds for a child to drown, and small children can drown in just a few inches of water."
Emergency physicians offer these water safety tips:
- Never leave babies or young children unattended near tubs, pools or buckets of water.
- Install safety fences with child-proof latches around swimming pools.
- Teach children to swim.
- Don't overestimate your or your children's swimming abilities.
- Never allow children to swim alone or without adult supervision.
- Make sure children swim only in designated areas.
- Remind children never to dive into unfamiliar water.
- Check with lifeguards about surf and beach conditions before going into the water.
- Obey warning signs.
