Water Safety

Summer wouldn't be the same without trips to the pool or lake. But these enjoyable outings too often turn tragic, when children - or adults - fall victim to accidents around water. Each year, thousands of people of all ages lose their lives in drowning accidents nationwide.

That's why it's important to follow a few simple water safety procedures designed to ensure a safe, enjoyable summer for everyone.

Keep your children safe

Most drowning accidents happen when children are left unsupervised in or around water. Here are a few tips to ensure that your kids have a safe summer:

• Never leave children unattended around water. Tragically, the most frequent drowning victims are children between the ages of 12 and 35 months old.
• Install and maintain a pool fence that completely surrounds your pool or spa. The fence gate should be self-closing, with the latch high enough off the ground so that children cannot reach it.
• Keep doors and gates to areas with water closed at all times.
• Keep toys and pets away from the pool area. Children are often attracted to them.
• Keep rescue equipment in a clearly accessible place near the pool, and post emergency procedures in the pool area. In an emergency, call 911 immediately.
• Teach your children how to swim. But remember that you can never "drown-proof" your child. Swimming lessons do not prevent water accidents.
• Learn CPR. Rural/Metro offers CPR instruction courses in your area - just call to register.
• Teach good water safety habits. Never allow children to run around water or "dunk" another child while swimming. Also, children who "cry wolf" can cause confusion when a real emergency occurs.
• At family gatherings or parties, designate an adult to supervise the pool area.
• Remember that a drowning can occur in as little as a few inches of water. Buckets, the bathtub, and even the toilet should be considered potential drowning hazards.

And for adults...

While children are the ones who are most a risk around water, accidents happen to adults, too. Here are a few tips on how grown-ups can avoid dangerous situations around water:

• Don't drink excessive amounts of alcohol - it can inhibit your judgment, reaction time and coordination.
• Always make sure the water is deep enough before diving. The rule of thumb is always to jump "feet first" the first time.
• Know your limits. Swimming is great exercise, but fatigue can mean trouble.
• Do not swim after heavy meals. You won't be able to move and react as quickly.
• Never swim during thunder or other storms.

Boating safely

Summer boat outings present special dangers, but can be safe and enjoyable if you follow these safety rules:

• Just as with driving, never operate a boat under the influence of alcohol.
• Insist that everyone use a personal flotation device, especially children. Never allow a passenger to use a life jacket that is too big or too small.
• Children sometimes panic when they fall out of a boat. And while personal flotation devices are designed to keep children afloat, they may not keep a child face-up. Teach children what to do if they fall in the water suddenly.
• Be careful when swimming in water under 70 degrees Fahrenheit - it can cause hypothermia.

What to do in an emergency

• Pull the victim from the water and call 911 immediately.
• If necessary, begin CPR while help is on the way.

Summer should be the best time of the year, and spending time around water is one of the fun ways to enjoy it. These safety tips can help you make sure your summer isn't shattered by tragedy.

And remember, you can depend on Rural/Metro for help when you need it most.