Top 10 Water Safety Tips

Drowning Incidents Skyrocket, St. Joseph’s Hospital Offers Water Safety Tips

St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center offers a water safety program called Oliver Otter that teaches water-safety rules to children and young adults. The group has put together a top 10 list of water safety precautions to take during this summer pool season.

1. Fill it Up. Keep the pool very full. A high water level makes it easier for a child to climb out of the pool or for a rescuer to reach a child in trouble.
   
   
2. No Noodling. Do not use water noodles or water wings as a substitute for a life vest.
   
   
3. Take Deep Breaths. Learn CPR. Children who receive CPR after being pulled from the pool have a greater chance of survival.
   
   
4. Be the Boss. Never leave a child in the water unsupervised even by turning your head. A drowning can occur even if an adult is in the pool area but not carefully watching.
   
   
5. Build a Barricade. Install a fence around the pool (not just the yard). Use self-closing gates with locks installed out of the reach of children. The spaces between barriers should be narrow enough to prevent a child or infant from squeezing through. Never leave furniture near the fence that would enable a child to climb over.
   
   
6. Go Wireless. Keep a cordless phone or cell phone near the pool. Many drownings occur because someone left the pool area for a “minute” to answer the phone.
   
   
7. Don’t Get Drained. Do not drain a pool. Falling into an empty pool can cause serious injury.
   
   
8. Clean it Up. Keep the pool and pool area clean. Debris and algae could obstruct your view into the water and interfere with rescue. Toys left in or around the pool may lure a child into the pool area.
   
   
9. Jump In. Children who take swimming lessons and learn to swim are less likely to drown. Adults need to know how to swim too.
   
   
10. Fido Can’t Come and Go. Close and lock any doors or windows giving access to the pool, including pet doors.