Summer is here and hotter than ever! And with these hot temperatures comes the desire to stay cool in the water.
Whether in your backyard pool or boating at a nearby lake or in the ocean, it’s important to keep everyone safe. Don’t let preventable accidents ruin your summer.
Our team at Mercy Health – Youngstown trauma services have some tips on how to make sure you and your family stay safe while enjoying the water.
“Drowning is the leading cause of preventable death in children ages 1 to 4. It often happens when multiple adults are nearby,” Amanda Lencyk, trauma injury prevention and outreach coordinator, shares. “Designating a ‘water watcher’ — whether swimming or boating — to keep an eye on those in or near the water will aid in keeping everyone safe. All it takes is one moment to change your life forever.”
Here are some additional tips on how stay safe while in the water and during boating.
Water Safety Tips:
- Watch kids when they are in or around water. Make sure you are not distracted by your cell phone, reading or talking to others.
- Teach your kids how to swim. Formal swimming lessons can protect children from drowning.
- Make sure your children know to swim with a partner and never go near or in water without an adult present.
- Install a four-sided fence around home pools. Make sure the gate of the fence is self-closing.
- Remember that things such as water wings, noodles and other swimming aids are fun toys for kids. However, they should never be used in place of a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD).
- Learn how to perform CPR and always have a phone close by in case of an emergency.
- If a child is missing, always check the water first.
Boating Safety Tips:
- Wear a properly fitted Coast Guard-approved life jacket when you and your loved ones are on the water.
- Never operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Check the weather beforehand.
- Don’t overload the boat with people or supplies.
- Make sure your boat is properly equipped with all appropriate safety equipment.
Learn about the emergency and urgent care services we offer at Mercy Health.
