Water Safety for Children
Drowning Facts
Drowning is the second leading cause of death for Canadian children. Most deaths of children aged 1 to 4 are in home pools. 58 children under the age of 14 will drown each year. Another 140 will nearly drown, which can lead to permanent brain damage. Drowning happens silently, often the child just slips under water Many young children drown when they are not meaning to swim. They fall in when they are close to water. A young child can drown in as little as 5 cm (2 in.) of water in just seconds. Supervision is the key to keeping kids safe. 42% of all children who drowned in the past 10 years did not have an adult watching them.
In the bathtub (at greatest risk 0-2yrs)
What you can do:
- Stay within sight and reach of your child in the bathroom
- Learn First Aid and CPR
- Know how to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number
- Never use baby bath seats
- Drain the tub after bathing
In your pool (at greatest risk 1-5yrs)
What you can do:
- Stay within sight, reach of your child when in, on or around water
- Know when to swim of have an experienced swimmer supervise children in the pool
- Learn First Aid and CPR
- Know how to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number
- Install a 1.2m (4ft) high four-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate around the pool
- Put young children and weak swimmers in lifejackets, when in, on or around water
- Teach your children the pool rules
- Keep safety equipment by the pool
- Put your children in swimming lessons
At the beach (at greatest risk all ages)
What you can do:
- Stay within sight, reach of your child when in, on or around water
- Know how to swim or have an experienced adult swimmer supervise children
- Learn First Aid and CPR
- Know how to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number
- Only let your children swim where you know it is safe
- Put young children and weak swimmers in lifejackets, when in, on or around water
- Teach your children the water safety rules
- Keep safety equipment close by
- Put your children in swimming lessons
In rivers, lakes and ponds (at greatest risk all ages)
What you can do:
- Stay within sight, reach or your child when in, on or around water
- Know how to swim or have an experienced adult swimmer supervise children
- Learn First Aid and CPR
- Know how to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number
- Fence off an outdoor play space for children away from the water on your property
- Put young children and weak swimmers in lifejackets, when in, on or around water
- Teach your children about currents and the water safety rules
- Put your children in swimming lessons
- Always wear a lifejacket when boating
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