Water Safety

Drowning is the leading cause of death to children ages 1-4 in our country. Older children also drown every year. Children drown while swimming, boating, fishing, and after accidentally falling in water. Every one of those drownings is a significant loss. And just about every one of those drownings could be prevented.

If there is a pool at your house, be sure there is a fence around it, and be sure the fence is latched shut. Don’t let children get into the water to swim unsupervised.
Safeguard in other locations also. Life jackets should be worn on boats. Only allow feet-first jumping into natural bodies of water where you don’t know the depth. No horseplay in or near the water.

If you know your child is swimming, fishing, boating, or playing near water, watch them. Even if they are a good swimmer, adults need to supervise.

Experts debate when the best age might be to teach children to swim, but it is agreed that almost all children are ready to learn by about age 5. Some children learn earlier than that.