FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF)- Cook Children’s Medical Center is urging parents to keep an eye out for their children when they are close to pools and open waters.
Sharon Evans, trauma and injury prevention coordinator for Cook Children’s said they had 5 drowning patients admitted on Sunday ages ranging from 1 to 14.
Though the drownings were not fatal, Evans said this is an alarming number for this early in the Summer.
“Temperatures are warming up and things are open again so we are seeing more and more people getting together again so generally it’s not incidents where children are sneaking out to the pool, we are seeing large amounts of adults together and no one really sees what happens the children just goes underwater,” she said.
The majority of drownings Cook Children’s see occur in swimming pools. Whether it’s a public pool, your neighbor’s pool or your own pool, it’s important to put certain safety measures in place to keep your child from drowning. Consider installing four-sided fences with self-latching gates, that could prevent 50 percent to 90 percent of childhood drownings and near-drowning incidents.
Pool gates should have child proof locks and should remain locked whenever you are not using the area.
When having people over to swim, explain your expectations about guests watching their children in the water. Or create a Water Watcher schedule to assign non-distracted adult Water Watchers to focus on children in the pool.
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. During that time, Water Watchers should not be distracted by conversations, cell phones, reading, etc.
“That ensures at least someone always has an eye on the kids and if it’s just 5 to 10 minutes no one is really missing out on the party,” said Evans.
She urges parents to have a safety plan in place before a child gets anywhere near the water and says if a toe is in the water, a life jacket must be worn.
“The single most important thing when it comes to open water safety is a life vest,” she said. If the lifejacket doesn’t say “U.S Coast Guard Approved”, assume it’s not safe, always check the label.
Most drowning fatalities in natural water are non-boating related. While it is Important to wear a life jacket in the boat, wearing one in the water is even more important.
As children get older, they are not drown proof either. Even strong swimmers are at risk for drowning. Put multiple safety measures in place, whether it’s during a time when you plan to be around water or a time when a toddler accidentally finds themselves around water without an adult in sight.