1. HELP PREVENT DROWNING

2. Why are we here?

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Install alarms on doors and windows that lead to the pool.

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

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

19. Rescue Equipment Rescue equipment mounted by the pool First Aid Kit
Phone Access

20. 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

21. Identify the Correct PFD

22. Help Prevent Drowning Steps you can take
READY,
SET,
SAVE!

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. SAVE
Call
Throw! Don’t go. Throw rescue equipment to the victim.
Begin CPR and continue until rescue personnel arrives.

26. YOU can make a Difference!
Prevention is the best protection
YOU can make a
Difference!

27. HELP PREVENT DROWNING