Most drowning victims among under 5-year-olds are 2 to
4-year-olds.
Two to 4-year-olds are increasingly mobile as they progress
through the toddler years. They are inquisitive and take
advantage of their ever-expanding range and speed of mobility. They
have no awareness of looming aquatic danger. It is up to parents
and caregivers to protect them. Toddlers and children under 5
are at risk when they are playing near water - far and away
the activity most involved in toddler drownings.
Private backyard pools present the greatest danger at this life
stage, accounting for one-third of water-related deaths for
young children under 5 years, although beaches and waterfronts on
lakes and rivers also contribute.
By far the biggest risk factor for young children is lack of
supervision from parents or caregivers. Almost all these young
victims were alone when they became immersed in water. The lapse in
attention may have been just a few moments, but it
was fatal.
Drowning prevention tips
If you're not within arms' reach, you've gone too
far.
Drowning is a silent killer and can happen in as little as 10
seconds. Parents and caregivers must be near (within arms' reach)
their children whenever they are near water - in the backyard, at
the beach, and in the bathroom. Stay tub-side until the water is
drained and children are out of the tub. Most bathtub drownings
occur because children are left alone "just for a moment."
Restrict and control access to the water.
Many toddlers who drown do so because they unexpectedly gained
access to the water - the backyard pool, the lake or the bathtub.
Typically, human error leads to a gate or door being left open or a
lock unsecured.
Layers of protection will reduce the chance of human error. If
you can't eliminate the water hazard, restrict access to it by
fencing off natural or man-made bodies of water on your property
and ensure that gates are self-closing and self-latching. Drain
bathtubs when not in use, and empty unattended wading pools and
buckets of water and turn them over.
Designate a backyard pool lifeguard.
An adult must always supervise children using a pool -
in-ground, above-ground or wading pool. If one adult must be absent
for a moment, designate a replacement or close the pool until
someone can assume supervisory duties.
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Wear a lifejacket.
As an extra layer of protection, put toddlers in a lifejacket
when they are near water. Lifejackets do not replace attentive
supervision, but will keep a toddler at the surface - which may
give parents the seconds they need to save a life.
Go to lifeguard supervised beaches and
pools.
For safer play near the water, take children to beaches and
pools supervised by certified lifeguards. Lifeguards do not replace
direct parental supervision but act as an extra layer of
protection.
Parent & tot aquatic programs.
A positive introduction to water can give your child a lifetime
of pleasure swimming. Toddlers are particularly suited to get used
to the water with their parents in an instructional setting.