Water Safety 101: The Basics

Every year thousands of Americans are injured or killed in swimming and boating accidents. The Staunton Fire Protection District, in conjunction with the National Safety Council encourage you to take proper precautions to prevent swimming accidents. You can protect yourself and your family from such accidents by following these guidelines:

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death of children. Most drownings occur when a child falls into a pool or is left alone in a bathtub. To prevent drowning:

•Never leave a young child alone in a bathtub or pool. If you must answer the phone or get a towel, take the child with you.

•Always watch your child near a swimming pool, river, or lake.

•Be aware of backyard pools in your neighborhood or apartment building; your child could wander off and fall in.

•Enroll children over the age of 3 in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors. But remember, the lessons won’t make children “drown-proof.”

•Teach your older children that they risk drowning when they overestimate their swimming ability or underestimate water depth.

•Never let children swim alone.

•Don’t let children dive into unknown bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, or quarries. They should jump feet first to avoiding hitting their heads on a shallow bottom, hidden rock or obstruction.

•Don’t let children push or jump on others in the water.

Adults should follow these tips:

•Don’t swim alone.

•Take swimming lessons from a qualified instructor if you’re not a strong competent swimmer.

•Stay out of the water during thunderstorms and other severe weather.

•Don’t attempt to swim farther than you’re sure you can. For example, don’t try to swim across or to a distant dock in a lake.

•Don’t swim if you have been drinking alcohol.

Half of swimming pool drownings occur at home pools or apartment pools. To keep your family safe:

•Enclose your pool with a fence, wall or other barrier at least 4 feet tall. Install self-latching gates that open outward.

•Keep a portable phone in the pool area and post a list of emergency numbers on it.

•Keep an eye on children and non-swimmers who are using inflatable toys, innertubes, and mattresses. They could slide off of them and drown.

•Closely supervise children when they are diving or jumping into the pool. Head and back injuries are likely to occur during these activities.

•Keep the pool’s deck area clear of tripping hazards, such as toys.

•Review safety measures and rules with guests before they swim.

Don’t let your summertime swimming plans end in tragedy. Practice safety during your swimming activities.