Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Offers Water Safety Tips to Keep Children Safe This Summer

As temperatures rise and children flock to area pools, lakes and beaches, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital injury prevention specialist Melinda Howard reminds parents that a child can drown without a sound. She also wants to remind parents that active supervision is critical to keeping children safe.

“Active supervision means you have a designated ‘water watcher’ and that person doesn’t take their eyes off the kids at any time, for any reason,” said Howard. “Drowning happens when you least expect it and happens in seconds. Many people think there will be lots of splashing and yelling when someone is in trouble but that simply isn’t the case.”

Water Safety Tips

Observe proper pool behavior. No pushing, running or diving in shallow areas.
Don’t depend on flotation devices or swimming lessons.
Keep a cell phone handy in case of an emergency but don’t talk on it while supervising.
Know CPR. This will be helpful in a water or non-water emergency.
After your kids are finished playing in the pool for the day, be sure to remove all pool toys and put them away. Children have drowned while trying to retrieve items left in the pool.
Teach kids never to swim alone. Using the buddy system means there’s always someone looking out for you.
Watch out for weeds and grass that could entangle a leg or arm in a lake.
Assign a designated driver who won’t consume alcohol when boating.
Teach kids to never swim close to a pier because sudden water movements may cause swimmers to collide with them.

Inflatable vests and arm devices such as water wings are not effective protection against drowning in any environment. Invest in proper-fitting, Coast Guard-approved life vests and use them whenever a child is near water. For kids younger than five years old, choose a vest with a strap between the legs and head support-the collar will keep the child’s head up and face out of the water.

“Whether at the lake or a pool, teach your child to get out of the water during bad weather, especially lightning,” added Howard. “You’ll enjoy the water experience more by knowing and practicing safety precautions.”

Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is a Grand Rapids-based hospital serving children throughout Michigan. A teaching hospital, it includes more than 150 pediatric specialty physicians with specialized training in providing medical and surgical care to children in more than 40 pediatric specialties. We care for 7,600 children on an inpatient basis and 190,000 children at outpatient sites annually. The staff at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is committed to caring for children and families with compassion, excellence and innovation. The children’s hospital is one of seven hospitals in the Spectrum Health system. Visit devoschildrens.org to learn more or devoschildrens.org/2011 to learn about the new hospital opening in 2011.