Tragedies can happen in a blink of an eye. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death among children under the age of 14 in the nation, and is the leading cause of death among children ages one to four years old. Water accidents are also a major cause of life-altering brain injuries every year. There's simply no substitute for 100% supervision. Watch your children at all times whenever they're around water, and remember: Don't just be there, be aware.
Water Safety
Key practices for keeping your children safe in water.
General water safety
- Never take your eyes off children in the water
- While supervising, stay alert and avoid distractions
- Learn infant and child CPR
- Keep a telephone nearby in case of an emergency
- Empty all buckets and wading pools after use
- Never leave children in a bathtub alone or with an older brother or sister
- Install child safety locks on toilet lids in households with toddlers
Pool and hot tub safety
- If a child is missing, always check the pool first
- Enclose pools with self-closing and locking fences
- Teach children to swim, but remember, there's no substitute for supervision
Open water and boating safety
- Use approved life jackets
- Read and obey all posted rules
- Never dive into unknown water
- Install a carbon monoxide detector aboard your houseboat
Water safety: ensuring every splash is risk-free
Learn more about how water accident prevention can keep your child safe.