Summertime is a great time to be outdoors with your family, but it's also important to be aware of the dangers that come with being in or around water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accidental drownings are the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, and the second leading cause of death for children 5-14. In this post, we'll discuss some tips on how to avoid accidental drownings.

How to Avoiding Accidental Drownings

Always Stay Close By

Whenever your child is in or near water, it is important that you are within arm’s reach. This rule applies whether they are taking a bath, swimming in a pool, or playing at the beach.

After your child has learned to swim for long distances and float on his back, you won't need to be right next to him, but you should always keep him in sight. Kids of all ages can become trapped underwater, or simply become too tired from swimming.

Install a Pool Fence

If you have a pool in your backyard, it is important to take the necessary precautions to keep your child safe. A pool fence is one of the best ways to do this. The fence should be at least four feet high and have a gate that closes and latches automatically. The gate should open away from the pool so that children cannot reach over and open it. In addition to a physical barrier, you should also install an alarm on the gate that will go off if it is opened. This will alert you if your child tries to get into the pool area without you knowing.

Using an inflatable kiddie pool instead? Make sure you empty all inflatable pools after swim time is over. Although you don't necessarily have to deflate the pools, they should be emptied so they don't contain any water.

Remove Pool Toys After Pool Time

Kids are often attracted to pool toys, even when they are not supposed to be near the water. If you have a pool in your backyard, it is important to remove all toys from the area after pool time is over. This will help to keep your child safe by preventing them from trying to get into the pool area when they are not supposed to be there.

Consider Removing Dog Doors

If you have a pet door leading to a body of water, such as a pond or a pool, consider removing it. Those doors can be tempting for young children to climb through.

Use a Proper Floating Device

If your child is not a strong swimmer, it is important to use a life jacket or other flotation device when they are in or near water. The device should be U.S. Coast Guard-approved, and should fit snugly on your child. It is also important to make sure that the device is properly secured so that it cannot come off.

Learn CPR

It is also important for you to know how to perform CPR in case of an emergency. If your child does get into the pool and start to drown, you will need to act quickly. Knowing CPR could mean the difference between life and death.

Enroll Your Child in Swim Lessons

One of the best ways to prevent accidental drownings is to enroll your child in swim lessons. Swim lessons will teach your child how to swim and float safely. They will also learn what to do if they find themselves in a situation where they are struggling in the water.

Teach Your Child Proper Water Rules

It is also important to teach your child the proper rules for being around water. This includes not going into the water without an adult present, not diving into shallow water, and not running near the pool. If your child knows the rules, they will be less likely to get into a situation where they could drown.

Be Careful Around Any Type of Water

There are many places where children can come into contact with water, so it is important to be vigilant at all times. After all, a child can drown in a pool with a few feet of water or just six inches of water.

This means that even a small puddle or bucket of water can be dangerous. The same goes for toilet bowls, bathtubs, and sinks. It's important to monitor your child and be aware that there are numerous spots around the house that pose the risk of accidental drowning.

As a parent, it is important to be aware of the dangers that come with summertime activities. By following these tips, you can help to prevent accidental drownings.