Swim Safety
Nothing beats the heat like a dip in the pool; but before you dive in, make sure your water safety plan is in place.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1–4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for kids aged 5–14. While these statistics are alarming, there are preventive measures families can take to make sure everyone is safe. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises the following:

• Life jackets save lives. If your child doesn’t know how to swim or is just starting to learn, make sure they are wearing a life jacket.
• Assign a Water Watcher. This person is an adult who will watch the children in the water. Even if a lifeguard is present, the more eyes, the better.
• Put your phone down. While we want to capture our kids making a splash, let someone else take pictures.
• Get trained in CPR. If there’s an emergency, make sure you’re trained in CPR.

Daniel Kallush, D.O., at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, adds that avoiding alcohol and knowing the side effects of medications are also important in preventing water injuries. Alcohol and certain medications — even over-the-counter ones — can impair your judgment and reaction time faster than you'd expect, said Dr. Kallush. Around water, that split second matters. Stay sharp when kids are in or near the water.

Sources: Preventing Drowning | Drowning Prevention | CDC; Pool Dangers and Drowning Prevention―When It’s Not Swimming Time - HealthyChildren.org