HCA Midwest Health
June 19, 2019

Drowning can be silent and quick and kills nearly 1,000 children every year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, who also lists drowning as the single leading cause of injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4. He offered helpful tips to consider to keep your child safe this summer:

  • Consider swim lessons for kids, starting around age 1. Talk with your pediatrician about whether your child is developmentally ready for swim lessons and then look for a program with experience.
  • Even the best swim lessons can't drown-proof a child, so take steps to make a child's environment around water safer, like making sure they wear U.S. Coast Guard - approved life jackets when near water or swimming.

Floaties are not safety devices!

  • A noodle, is not a life jacket
  • Water wings are not a life jacket
  • Inner-tubes are not life jackets!

With these precautions you'll have a safe and memorable summer!