As summer approaches, families are gearing up for fun in the sun, including trips to the pool, lake, or beach. However, with the joys of water activities comes the responsibility of ensuring children’s safety around water. According to safety experts at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, drowning is the second leading cause of preventable injury death for Utah children under age 14.
Doug Thomas, director of community health at Primary Children’s Hospital, emphasized the importance of closely monitoring children around water and ensuring they wear life jackets. He pointed out that drowning incidents can occur in various water sources, including pools, bathtubs, lakes, rivers, and canals.
To prevent water-related accidents, adults are advised to always supervise children around water, empty and store kiddie pools and buckets properly, teach kids how to swim, use Coast Guard-approved life jackets, install fences and locks around pools, and avoid water hazards while hiking or camping.
Additionally, knowing CPR can be crucial in case of a drowning emergency. Intermountain Health is committed to promoting child safety and injury prevention as part of its Primary Promise initiative. For more information on child safety and injury prevention, visit primarychildrens.org/safety.
As families gear up for summer fun, it’s essential to prioritize water safety to ensure a season of enjoyment without any tragic incidents.