Backyard and community pools as well as lakes and trips to the beach are some of the most memorable places for families to spend the summer.
But while everyone is out having a good time, it’s important to remember that drownings are the leading cause of preventable death among children under 14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three children die every day as a result of drowning, the agency reports.
To keep kids and other family members safe in and around the water, the CDC recommends the following:
Learn life-saving skills
Both kids and adults should know the basics of swimming which includes floating and moving through the water. The CDC recommends accredited swim lessons for children as the drowning risk for kids under 4 is reduced by 88% when they know the basics. It’s also vital to know how to recognize and respond to a swimmer in distress and how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Fence off pools
Pools should be secured with a four-sided isolation fence which should have self–closing and self–latching gates in an effort to keep kids away from the area when an adult isn’t present.
Make life jackets mandatory
Regardless if a child knows how to swim, they should wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket in and around natural bodies of water like a lake or ocean, the CDC recommends. Inexperienced swimmers should also wear life jackets in and around pools.
When taking a child out on a boat, make sure they have a properly fitted life jacket. Keep in mind, an adult size will not fit a child so you must find one that fits correctly.
Be on the lookout
Drownings happen quickly so kids need to be supervised at all times when they are in and near the water. Kids should be kept within arm’s reach and adults should avoid alcohol, cell phones and reading to remain on high alert. If around other adults, you can rotate supervising duties every 15 minutes to maintain vigilance.
We hope these tips will help to keep you and your family safe during the summer months! To ensure you get the right coverage for your home and auto insurance, talk to your independent agent about MAPFRE. You can also get a fast, free quote today on your Massachusetts car insurance policy to see how much you could save!
