CHILDHOOD DROWNING NUMBERS ARE RISING – BLACK CHILDREN ARE MORE AT RISK
Headed out on with the kids to a cool pool on a hot day? Stay alert because it only takes a second of distraction for a child to drown. In fact, not only is drowning a leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 4, but Black children make up 23% of drowning deaths under age 15. Tragically, Black kids aged 10-14 are 7.6 times more likely to drown in pools than white children.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found a 12% increase in child drownings from 2020 to 2021 so learning to swim well can save lives….
For this coming holiday here’s how to make sure your kids swim safely:
1. Supervise Children: Always have a responsible adult watching children at all times when they are anywhere near water.
2. Secure Pools: Create layers of protection by installing pool alarms, pool covers, and self-closing gates.
3. Learn CPR: Learn CPR. Many communities offer online training.
4. Teach Swimming: Ensure everyone in the family learns how to swim well.
5. Avoid Pool Drains: Keep children away from pool drains and pipes.
6. Comply with Safety Standards: Ask your pool service provider about safer drain covers. Improperly installed or broken pool drain covers and uncovered drains can trap swimmers on the bottom of the pool.
FIREWORK SAFETY TIPS
Fireworks are fun, but they can harm and kill. In 2023, nearly 9,700 people were injured, and eight people died in fireworks-related incidents.
Follow these tips for a safer holiday:
1. Supervise Children: Never let kids handle fireworks, including sparklers.
2. Buy Legal Fireworks: Purchase fireworks from reputable sources.
3. Stay Sober: Avoid using fireworks while under the influence or while impaired.
4. Be Prepared: Keep water or a hose nearby.
5. Handle with Care: Light fireworks one at a time and never re-light “dud” fireworks that did not go off.
6. Dispose Safely: Soak used fireworks in water before throwing away.
You can read more about firework safety on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website.
Sources:
Pool Safely. (2024). Safety Tips. https://www.poolsafely.gov/parents/safety-tips/.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024). Drowning Deaths Rise in the United States. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0514-vs-drowning.html.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024). Risk Factor for Drowning. https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/risk-factors/index.html.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024). Vital Signs. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/.
United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). (2024). CPSC New Drowning Report Shows Increase in Child Fatalities. https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-New-Drowning-Report-Shows-Increase-in-Child-Fatalities.
United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). (2024). CPSC Urges Caution while Celebrating as Fireworks Related Injuries Trend Upward. https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Urges-Caution-while-Celebrating-as-Fireworks-Related-Injuries-Trend-Upward.
United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). (2024). Pool or Spa Submersion: Estimated Nonfatal Drowning Injuries and Reported Drownings, 2024 Report. https://www.cpsc.gov/content/Pool-or-Spa-Submersion-Estimated-Nonfatal-Drowning-Injuries-and-Reported-Drownings-2024-Report.