And how to help if your child is afraid of the water
With summer in full swing, your kids have likely been spending time at a pool or at the beach.
Lately there have been some tragic stories about children losing their lives to drowning. A recent Newsday article shared the frightening statistic that double the amount of boys than girls drown in water accidents, likely because of the types of activities that each gender participates in when they are in the water. In addition, for both boys and girls ages one to four years old, drowning is the leading cause of death in the United States.
There are many ways to prevent tragedies in the water from occurring. Here are some tips from the Mayo Clinic.
- Supervise. Never leave children unsupervised near a pool, hot tub or natural body of water. Don’t rely on air-filled or foam toys, such as water wings, noodles or inner tubes, to keep children safe.
- Teach children to swim. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most children age 4 and older can learn to swim. Children ages 1 to 4 might be able to learn depending on their physical and emotional development.
- Fence in your pool. Install a fence at least 4 feet tall that separates the pool area from the house and yard. The fence shouldn’t block the view of the pool from outside the fenced area.
- Install alarms. Use an alarm on the house door that leads to the pool area, a floating pool-alarm or a below-water alarm.
- Remove toys. Don’t leave pool toys in the water. A child might fall into the water while trying to retrieve a toy.
- Beware of drains. Don’t allow children to play near or sit on pool or hot tub drains. Body parts and hair can become entrapped by the strong suction.
- Wear a life jacket. Children and adults should wear personal flotation devices whenever riding in a boat or fishing. An air-filled swimming aid isn’t a substitute for a life jacket.
- Stay in designated areas. At public beaches, swim only in areas set aside for swimming. Pay attention to posted warnings about unsafe swimming conditions.
What if your child is afraid of the water? The reality is that some children grow up eager to jump into the pool, while it can be very difficult to get others to step anywhere near water.
First and foremost, never rush your child into jumping into the water. Thoughts of jumping into a pool may create a rush of anxiety in many children, so taking it slow is very important. Help your child feel safe by sitting near the pool with them and slowly stepping into the water together. Make sure to exhibit patience and understanding. Try to teach your child to swim at a private pool. This could definitely be less frightening than beginning in a large crowded one.
To watch a video with some tips on helping your child learn how to swim, click here.
Sources:
https://www.newsday.com/news/nation/drowning-deaths-boys-girls-schumer-1.19835016
http://www.swimming.org/learntoswim/tips-to-help-overcome-a-fear-of-swimming/
