Half our story involves water safety and safe swimming

In the United States, drowning is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 4 years old and the second most common cause for children between the ages of 5 and 14 years.

It only takes a moment. A child or weak swimmer can drown in the time it takes to reply to a text, answer a phone, glance at a book, check a fishing line, or apply sunscreen

Deaths and Injuries from drownings happen every day in home pools and hot tubs; at the beach or in oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams; in unwatched bathtubs; and even in buckets

Drowning is Preventable.

• Take swimming lessons

• Never swim alone. Swim only in designated areas and areas supervised by a lifeguard.

• Read and obey all rules and posted signs

• Set specific swimming rules for each person in your family or group based on their current swimming skill level (for example, inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less than chest deep.)

• Designate a responsible and non-distracted person (water watcher) to closely supervise children in, on or around the water, even when a lifeguard is present.

• Watch out for the “dangerous too’s”: too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun and too much strenuous activity.

• Do not use alcohol or drugs while engaging in aquatic activities.

• Know how to prevent, recognize and respond to emergencies.

• Be prepared. Aquatic emergencies happen quickly and suddenly. Have a means of summoning help (such as a mobile phone) close by.

• Get trained in first aid, CPR and AED use.

***Information from the American Red Cross***

What can we do?