Drowning is one of the most prominent causes of accidental death for children under the age of four in the united states. You can lower the risk of childhood drowning by taking these preventive measures. Children require constant supervision in and around water by a responsible adult. An older child or sibling should never be relied upon to supervise water safety. Maintain a safe pool environment by having a permanent fence all the way around the pool that's at least four to six feet high. Make sure there aren't any chairs by the fence that might allow children to climb over into the pool area. It's a good idea to install a phone jack outside by the pool, or have the cordless handy, so you'll never need to leave the children unsupervised to answer the phone. If you must go inside, take the children with you, even if you'll only be gone for a moment. Seconds count when a child is drowning. If your child is missing, look in the pool first. The sooner you get help to a drowning child, the better their chance for survival. Children can start swimming lessons as young as six months and should be taught how to swim before being encouraged to play in the water. Consider learning c-p-r. Cardiopulmonary respiration can be used on adults, children and even pets. Consult a child safety program in your area for more information about preventing drowning.
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