HELP PREVENT DROWNING www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Why are we here? www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Drowning Statistics Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4. Safe Kids Worldwide www.knowbeforeyougo.org

How much time does it take to drown? In the time it takes to… Cross a room for a towel (10 sec), a child in a bathtub can be submerged Answer the phone (2 min), a child can loose consciousness Sign for a package at the front door (4-6 min), a child submerged in a tub or pool can sustain permanent brain damage In a matter of seconds. Safe Kids Worldwide www.knowbeforeyougo.org

How much fluid does it take to drown? Water in a bathtub. A bucket of water. Standing water on top of a pool or spa cover. 1 inch of water is all it takes to cover a child’s nose & mouth Safe Kids Worldwide www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Do people always yell for help? Most children do not yell for help. Non-swimmers or exhausted swimmers are unable to call for help. Drowning victims may be struggling under the water. Drowning is a silent event, especially for children. www.knowbeforeyougo.org

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Inside the Home More than 50% of infant drowning occurs in a bathtub Other areas of risk inside the home: 5-Gallon Buckets Spas & Hot Tubs Toilets Other Products U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission December 16, 2004: A 9-month old girl drowns in a bathtub while her mother speaks with a repair man www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Bath Time Safety Always remain within arm’s reach of the child Never leave any child under 4 unsupervised Children can drown quickly and quietly www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Bath Seats Are not a substitute for supervision Are a bathing aid not a safety device Should never be used in a non-skid, slip-resistant tub December 16, 2004: A 9-month old girl drowns in a bathtub while her mother speaks with a repair man www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Buckets When finished using a bucket, always empty it immediately. Never leave a bucket containing even a small amount of liquid unattended. When finished using a bucket, always empty it immediately. Always, store buckets where young children cannot access them. www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Toilets Keep toilet lid down to prevent access to the water Use a toilet lock Lock the door to prevent access when the bathroom is not in use www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Childproofing Your Bathroom Install door knob covers and/or locks Set water heater to 120˚F Install a toilet seat lock www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Spas & Hot Tubs Use CAUTION with solar covers! Secure safety covers when not in use Use CAUTION with solar covers! Drain excess water from the top of the spa or hot tub cover Install safety barriers to the spa or hot tub to prevent access of young children www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Apartment & Residential Pools More than 50 % of all toddler drowning occurs in swimming pools. Many of these children were last seen in the home, had been missing from sight for less than 5 minutes, and were under parental care at the time. Safe Kids Worldwide www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Swimming Pools Create layers of protection to protect your children from a swimming pool tragedy Barriers Alarms Covers Remove steps and ladders from above-ground pools Empty inflatable and plastic pools after use Mounted safety equipment Life jackets (personal flotation device) Active supervision Pool-side telephone access June 13, 2003: A 3 year old boy falls into the swimming pool at his Irving home www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Install alarms on doors and windows that lead to the pool. www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Barriers and Fences Build a non-climbable, five-foot fence between the house and the pool. www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Barriers and Fences Use self-closing gates that open outwards with latches out of the child’s reach. www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Rescue Equipment Rescue equipment mounted by the pool First Aid Kit Phone Access www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) Personal Flotation Devices such as a lifejacket or vest can be buoyant or inflatable and come in many sizes and styles. Who Should Wear Coast Guard-approved PFDs? All non-swimmers Any children when near open bodies of water or when on a boat www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Identify the Correct PFD www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Help Prevent Drowning Steps you can take READY, SET, SAVE! www.knowbeforeyougo.org

READY Create LAYERS of PROTECTION between the water and your children. Learn CPR Talk to adults that are caring for your child around water. Enroll children in swim lessons. www.knowbeforeyougo.org

SET spa, bathtub, toilet, bucket or any standing Never leave your child alone near a pool, spa, bathtub, toilet, bucket or any standing water in which a child’s nose or mouth may be submerged. Assign an adult “Water Watcher” who is committed to supervising the pool area Have phone access at the water area. Wear life jackets that are Coast Guard approved. www.knowbeforeyougo.org

SAVE Call 9-1-1. Throw! Don’t go. Throw rescue equipment to the victim. Begin CPR and continue until rescue personnel arrives. www.knowbeforeyougo.org

YOU can make a Difference! Prevention is the best protection YOU can make a Difference! www.knowbeforeyougo.org

HELP PREVENT DROWNING www.knowbeforeyougo.org