Office Visit: How to protect them in the water

Enjoying the outdoors is a summertime tradition, especially when it comes to the water. Nothing beats the heat like relaxing by the pool.

As temperatures have soared in Oklahoma over the past few weeks and more of us are taking the plunge, it’s important to remember some water safety tips, especially for children.

Drowning is a leading cause of death for children in the U.S. and is responsible for more deaths among children ages one to four than any other cause except birth defects.

World Drowning Prevention Day is July 25. This event brings awareness to the topic and helps increase knowledge on water safety. Drownings can happen in seconds and are often silent. They can happen to anyone, any time there is access to water.

Here are some tips to prevent drowning, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Learn basic swimming and water safety skills - Formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning. Studies show when parents have low/no swimming skills, their children are less likely to be proficient swimmers.

Enclose pools with fences - Having a fence that surrounds a pool helps decrease the likelihood of children wandering into the pool unsupervised. When the pool is not in use, remove all toys around the pool area that might attract children.

Supervise closely - At least one adult should be monitoring children closely and constantly when they are in the pool/water, even when lifeguards are on duty. Adults should avoid distractions like reading material, their phones and consuming alcohol or drugs. Drownings can happen in a matter of seconds.

Wear a life jacket - Life jackets reduce the risk of drowning for all ages. In Oklahoma, it is required for children younger than the age of 13 to wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets or life vests when they are on a boat that is shorter than 26 feet in length. Life jackets and life vests should be in good condition and properly fit the child at all times.

Learn CPR - This skill could save someone’s life. Numerous organizations, like the American Red Cross and American Heart Association , offer CPR training courses.

Know the risks of natural waters - Lakes, rivers and other natural bodies of water can present hidden hazards. It’s important to know your environment before jumping in. Also, check the local forecast to avoid any possible weather-related issues.

Pay attention to medical conditions, medications - Know if a medical condition might increase the likelihood of drowning and require extra care in the water. Also, notice if side effects from certain medications could impair a child in the water.

Take the time to practice water safety this summer.

Let’s make it a good month!

Todd Hoffman, M.D., C.P.E., is chief medical officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma , a division of Health Care Service Corp., a Mutual Legal Reserve Company.

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