Disclaimer: Kelly Wooley, Fort Worth Mom’s Blog contributor and marketing specialist at Cook Children’s, used her personal experience to write this sponsored post by Cook Children’s.
As parents, we don’t take our eyes off our children during their ballet recitals, school plays, or soccer games. But, something happens when we get to the pool. That kind of hyper-vigilance goes away. We relax. We chat with our friends, get on our phones to take pictures, and check our social media accounts.
I’m here today, as a fellow mom and an employee of Cook Children’s, to talk to you about drowning. This summer at Cook Children’s, we are asking, no, BEGGING you to LIFEGUARD YOUR CHILD around water. And that’s not just pools, lakes, or the ocean. Drowning can happen in less than one inch of water. It happens in an instant and it’s completely silent.
As parents, you want to do everything you can to protect your children from harm. Well, here’s your chance. And it’s SIMPLE. When your child is in or around water, do not take your eyes off them. Get in the water with them and always be within arm’s reach. Drownings can happen to even the best of swimmers.
At Cook Children’s, we often talk about the “layers of protection” when it comes to drowning prevention:
- Install four-sided fences with self-latching gates. Did you know that your house doesn’t count? The fence should totally encompass your pool.
- Use pool/door/child alarms. The options are endless. Just do a quick search on Amazon.
- Wear life vests with U.S. Coast Guard-approved labels. Check the label for that specific wording. Puddle Jumpers are a yes. Arm floaties? No.
- Insist on adult, non-distracted, Water Watchers. A Water Watcher tag can be used to designate responsible adults to watch the water when you have a party at the pool, lake, or beach. At social gatherings, 10-15 minute shifts are recommended for Water Watchers.
- Take family CPR lessons.
- Schedule water safety and swim lessons.
- Update pool drains and cleaning systems.
These are all “layers” that can make it less likely for a child to drown. And yes, these help. But in the end, the easiest, fastest, most cost-effective way to LIFEGUARD YOUR CHILD is to simply keep your eyes on your kiddos at all times when they are around water.
I’m not saying that time around water with your kids can’t be fun. It absolutely can! It’s one of my favorite things to do in the summer with my daughter. But, you can’t let your guard down. Even for a second.
Just like we respect the dangerous nature of a knife or loaded gun, we need to do the same for water.
From one mom to another, please please please, LIFEGUARD YOUR CHILD around water this summer.
For more information on how you can protect your children from drowning and share drowning prevention messages on your social media accounts, visit our dedicated Drowning Prevention web page.