As warmer temperatures take us to the pool, Greenville firefighters remind residents that drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children between the ages of 1 and 4 years old.
Whether it’s a trip to the beach or a dip in the community or backyard pool, you can ensure that swimming is as safe as it is fun by following a few basic safety tips.
There Is No Substitute for Active Supervision
• Actively supervise children in and around open bodies of water, giving them your undivided attention.
• Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm’s reach to provide active supervision. We know it’s hard to get everything done without a little multitasking, but this is the time to avoid distractions of any kind. If children are near water, then they should be the only thing on your mind. Small children can drown in as little as one inch of water.
• When there are several adults present and children are swimming, use the Water Watcher card strategy, which designates an adult as the Water Watcher for a certain amount of time (such as 15-minute periods) to prevent lapses in supervision.
For additional information please visit http://www.greenvillesc.gov/firedept/forms/prevention/swimming_safety.pdf.