Indiana State Offers Water Safety Tips
Water Safety Tips
Indiana state health officials are offering safety tips to help Hoosiers enjoy the water, while also staying safe.
According to statistics from the Indiana State Department of Health, drowning was the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths among children aged 1 to 14 in Indiana in 2005.
“Always have an adult closely supervise young children, especially infants and toddlers any time they are around water,” said Charlene Graves, M.D., medical director, Injury Prevention Program, State Department of Health. “Careful supervision will help reduce the chance for accidental drowning or injuries.”
Dr. Graves also recommends the installation of a fence around all four sides of a pool to prevent access, including a gate that opens out from the pool which is self-closing and self-latching at a height children cannot reach, at least 4 feet or higher..
Health officials also offer the following water safety tips:
* Never drink alcohol before or while swimming, boating or water skiing, and never drink alcohol while supervising children.
* Learn to swim, as swimming lessons benefit adults and children age 4 and up. Swim programs for children under age 4 should not be seen as a way to decrease the risk of drowning.
* Supervise children at all times. Inflatable swimming aids such as “floaties” are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.
* Have rescue equipment and a phone near a pool in case of an emergency. Learn infant and child CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
* Be aware of drain entrapment, as the suction from the drain can be so powerful that it can hold an adult under the water. To prevent entrapment incidents, have a professional inspect drain covers, as covers are a major reason many entrapment accidents occur.
* Pool and spa owners may want to consider installing a Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS), which detects when a drain is blocked and automatically shuts off the pool pump.
* Properly maintain your pool to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
* Never swallow pool, lake or river water.