Stay Afloat This Summer

Rachel and I try hard to help our mama friends back off a little on that impulse to rescue their kids from all the ups and downs that come with life. We know that children need a certain amount of freedom to take risks, make mistakes and even fail in order to develop resilience and competence.

But there are some areas of your child’s life where this philosophy does not apply and being hypervigilant about where they are and what they’re doing is appropriate and highly recommended. In fact, not doing so can spell disaster. When it comes to your child’s physical safety, we want to encourage you to own the mama bear within! And as we head into the summer months, the issue of water safety stands out as a critically important area to pay attention to.

It’s a sad fact that when you’re a long-time parent you see and experience a variety of tragedies, both in your own family and in the families of your friends and neighbors. I have personally know two families who had to endure the unspeakable pain that comes from having a child drown.

None of the parents in those two families would be considered irresponsible by any stretch of the imagination. Yet in both cases the drownings occurred in their own backyards while adults were present. It can happen in just a few inches of water and in less time than it takes to answer your cell phone. It’s just that quick and just that deadly.

Each year, between 4,000 to 5,000 people die from accidental drownings. Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental deaths in chidren under the age of 14! Since January 1, there have been 81 drownings and 113 near drownings in the U.S.A. alone. And one of the biggest culprits appears to be the portable, inflatable pools that have become so popular. The larger ones, which hold up to 2,000 gallons of water, are particularly dangerous since it is difficult to empty them each day after the kids have dried off.

• According to a report on the Today Show, a child drowns in one of these pools once every 5 days during the summer. And a study done by the Consumer Products Safety Commission found that from 2001 to 2009 there were 209 fatal drownings and 35 non-fatal drownings in portable pools; 73% occurred in the child’s backyard; and 94% of those children were under 5.
• As a result, the American Academy of Pediatrics has now declared that portable pools pose a significant risk of drowning for kids 5 and under. The Today Show further reported that the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals recommends that parents create layers of protection around their pools. This includes the use of fences, gates, pool covers, alarms, detachable ladders and constant adult vigilance whenever a child is present or nearby.

Another thing parents need to be aware of is that although life jackets and water wings can be life savers when it comes to water safety, they need to be used appropriately and with a clear understanding that they cannot take the place of a parent’s watchful eye.

• Life jackets and water wings can dupe your child into believing that she can swim and make her overly confident around water. Get her enrolled in swimming lessons as soon as she is out of diapers!
• Make sure that the life vest you use has U.S. Coast Guard approval–look for their stamp–and make sure it fits properly. Check the weight limit and make sure the buckles and straps are in good shape. Some of the cheapies that you pick up at Costco or Target may look okay but don’t risk it, go with the equipment that you know will do the job.
• SUPERVISE, SUPERVISE, SUPERVISE. Whenever a child is in the water, you must be there (and we’re talking very close – like an arms length away) with safety equipment at hand, like a reaching pole or ring buoy, and watching like a hawk.
• If you have a pool, make sure you have fences and gates around it and a pool cover (if in-ground) that works!
• Water wings, swim rings and noodles, although fun, CANNOT substitute for parental supervision.

As the mother of three lifeguards, I want to remind you that they are usually just kids themselves. And even though they may be very responsible and take their jobs seriously, don’t kid yourself into thinking that their presence is a guarantee of safety for your child.

For a powerful wake-up call about the human limitations of that sweet but young lifeguard at the pool, check out this article: 14 Things Your Lifeguard Might Not Tell You. Understanding what might be going on in the mind of a teenaged lifeguard may be the splash of cold water you need to pay uber attention around the pool, lake or ocean.