Yesterday was the last day of school for my two girls. It's summer and we all know what that means for kids out of school. They want to go to the beach, to a friends pool party and here in a Florida the popular springs are a favorite summer fun spot. As any parent I want to keep my children safe and after a very difficult year with my daughter I am more cautious than ever about where I let them go and what I let them do.
Reading a recent news article about summer safety I was astounded at the statistics according to the CDC regarding water safety and annual drownings. It is reported that over 4,000 people die annually due to drownings. In fact for children ages 1-2 years, drowning is the number one cause of injury death. For those aged 5-44 drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death. With over 4,000 deaths annually that equates to 10 deaths everyday here in America.
I found these safety tips for water at the American Red Cross website. Have fun and be safe!
- Learn to swim if you don't know how, wear a personal flotation device.
- DO not mix water with drugs and alcohol
- Pay attention to the local weather forecast
- Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard
- Read and obey all posted signs/warnings
- Enter the water feet first unless clearly marked as an area for diving
- Learn CPR and how to respond to emergencies
To enroll in a CPR class or take a swim course contact your local American Red Cross Chapter here.I hope you have a funfilled and safe summer!
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