How to Protect your Child from Drowning

(496 Words)
Drowning is an all too common occurrence among young children. It is also extremely preventable if you take the right steps to protect your child.
Keep your child within eyesight at all times, especially near water
Your child is unlikely to drown if you are right there to pull him or her out of the water. In almost every case of a child drowning, the child was not watched while near a source of water such as a pool, canal, lake, beach, etc. The parents may feel like the child knows better than to go near the water, but even children who are normally fine near the water may run into it to get a toy or simply fall in. There is no “trusting” your child when it comes to the water. Is it worth your child’s life? Parents will say that they only left for a few moments, but that is all it takes. If you need to go somewhere while they are near the water then take them with you or assign someone that you trust to watch them.
Take precautions related to the pool
Unfortunately, many children drown in their very own pools. You should have a fence around your pool if you have young children. Make sure that it is locked at all times. Never leave your child unattended by the pool. Even a child who can swim can have problems because they may panic if they fall into the water. Also, keep your door out to the pool locked if they are in the house. Make sure that they cannot work these locks to get out.
Take precautions related to the bath
It does not take a lot of water for children to drown. They could do so in the bathtub, in the toilet and even in a puddle! If your child is in the bath, make sure that you are always within eyesight. Earshot is not enough.
Teach your child how to swim
Knowing how to swim at an appropriate age can help prevent drowning. Of course just because your child can swim does not mean that he or she cannot drown. Put him or her in age appropriate classes. There are also water survival classes for even young children.
Teach your child about the importance of staying away from the water
You want your child to understand that the water can be dangerous and that he or she must stay as far away as possible. Of course you do not want the child to do it on purpose to rebel, so consider your child’s personality. Explain water safety to your child.
Tell your child what to do if they fall into the water
You do not want your child to panic. They may be able to get help even if they cannot yet swim.
It is important to do all that you can to teach water safety to your child. The above tips can help you prevent a tragedy.