Drownings a common cause of death for toddlers
Swimming is a popular way to exercise or relax on long summer days, but the dangers pools pose can’t be ignored.
More children between the ages of 1 and 4 die from accidental drownings than by any other cause except for birth defects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — and it is the second leading cause of death for children 1 to 14. Such tragedies can happen both quickly and easily, said Lora Kinner, FNP, with Liberty Family Medicine.
“Drownings can happen in seconds, and they don’t happen the way that you see on TV where people are flailing and screaming,” said Kinner, who practices with Premier Physician Network. “It’s usually very quiet. People can slip under the water, and you never know that something is happening.”
An average of 11 unintentional drowning deaths and about 22 non-fatal drownings happened each day in the United States between 2010 and 2019, according to the CDC. Drownings have a significant impact on those who survive, leaving many with permanent brain damage or disability.
“Pool safety applies to anyone who owns a pool, visits a public pool or lives within walking distance of a pool,” Kinner said. “If your neighbor has a pool three doors down, that means your child can get to it if unattended for even a few minutes.”
Kinner suggests these steps to enjoy summer swimming in a safe manner.
Be a vigilant supervisor: Parents or guardians should never take their eyes off their children while swimming or around a pool. Insist that children get out of a pool if you must walk away for a minute to retrieve something inside a house or visit a restroom at a public pool.
Put up protection: Install fences around a pool to isolate the area from the home. Studies have shown that a fence can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 83 percent, the CDC said. Turn on door chimes if available through home security systems so that you are notified when someone leaves the home. Consider alarm systems that detect and alert when a pool’s surface has been disturbed.
Be prepared: Make sure all drains in a pool are properly covered to reduce the risk for entrapment, a common cause for drowning. Keep scissors in a secure place near the pool in case they are needed to quickly cut hair or a swimsuit lose from a drain. Always keep a first aid kit, flotation device, and phone near the pool.
Know how to swim: Swimming may not be a skill that’s used every single day, but it’s one that saves lives. Any adult who supervises children at a pool should know how to swim and they should encourage children in their care to do the same.
Don’t get too comfortable: Nearly one-fourth of all accidental drownings occur during a family gathering or party, according to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. Don’t allow conversation among adults to distract from what kids are doing around a pool.
Enjoying a pool at home is relaxing and convenient, but it also comes with the risk of distractions not found at a public pool.
“When someone is in the pool at home it’s easy to forget about it,” Kinner said. “You have other things to do that take your attention away. There’s laundry to fold or a sink full of dishes. It’s easy to say, ‘I’m going to run in the house really quick and fix lunch.’ That’s when accidents happen.”
To schedule an appointment with a Premier Physician Network provider near you, go online to Premierhealth.com/makeanappointment.
Premier Physician Network is the largest group of primary and specialty care practices in the Dayton region with more than 800 physicians and advanced practice providers.