As temperatures rise across San Bernardino County, families are heading outdoors to cool off and enjoy water activities. Sadly, drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children under five, which is why First 5 San Bernardino has pulled together resources for parents and caregivers to help protect children while in or near water this season.
Having a Kid Safe Summer starts in the water, where designating a Water Watcher can save a life. A Water Watcher is a responsible adult whose only focus is monitoring children swimming or near water, while ensuring they are wearing proper, U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation device. A list of flotation devices can be found on the First 5 San Bernardino website, along with downloadable Water Watcher tags that make the supervisory adult identifiable in an emergency.
“We’ve worked with families and children for over 25 years and while we know that water play is one of the best parts of summer, it can quickly become dangerous if parents and caregivers aren’t aware of the risks,” said Karen Scott, Executive Director of First 5 San Bernardino. “The good news is that drowning is preventable by understanding and following basic water safety rules.”
One of these rules is to follow the ABCs of Water Safety which are three key safety practices that can prevent a drowning:
· A is for Active supervision, meaning keeping constant eyes on children near water.
· B is for Barriers, such as pool fences and locked gates to prevent unsupervised access.
· C is for Classes, which encourages enrolling children in swim lessons and ensuring adults are trained in CPR to respond to emergencies.
A news story from KNBC Los Angeles shared the importance of being responsible Water Watchers and practicing water safety. “Summer is right around the corner, so now is the time to equip ourselves with the knowledge and resources to protect our children by preventatively monitoring them in water,” adds Scott.
To find a list of swim and CPR classes available across San Bernardino County, and for other helpful water safety resources, visit the First 5 San Bernardino website.