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"Communication works for those who work at it."
~John Powell

Thursday, November 11, 2010

SAMPLE Editorial

Summer’s Silent Killer

As Idaho families get out their umbrellas and sun block to prepare for a season of sun and swimming, an alarming statistic is often forgotten.  Drowning is the number one cause of accidental death in young children.  According to emedicine.com, Idaho ranks among the top states in the country for its drowning rate.  With drowning deaths among children 14 and under increasing by 89 percent in the summer and 64 percent of all children’s drowning deaths occurring in the summer months, it is the most dangerous time of year. 

Not enough is being said about child water safety, and their protection suffers.  Since yesterday, 11 infants and children drowned in the U.S. and 39 fell into the water and will suffer permanent injuries, but that doesn’t have to happen tomorrow.  We can layer our children in protection in the summer as we layer them to keep them warm in the winter months. 

These layers of protection start and finish with active adult supervision.  Taking your eyes off of your child for a split second can end in tragedy.  Drowning is quick and quiet, often occurring without a splash.  Never leave your child alone near water.  If you must answer the phone or the door, take them with you.  Drowning can occur in as little as 1 inch of water. 

At home, make sure all pools and spas are fenced in with self-latching and self-closing doors, and/or install exit alarms.  Turn pool jets toward the shallow end of the pool or steps.  A child in need of help can at least be pushed toward the shallow end of the pool or steps to help in their survival.  Keep all pathways around your pool area free of debris and remember to always remove a pool hose when not in use.  This can be very dangerous even for a skilled swimmer, they can get tied up or tangled in it and make survival almost impossible.

Do not rely on flotation devices, such as water wings, noodles, inflatable mattresses or pool toys.  Be cautious of arm bands as they may provide your child with a false sense of swimming ability and children can get caught underneath the inflatable toys.  It only takes 2  minutes for a child to lose consciousness after submersion and a drowning child can not cry for help. 

Seek training in CPR and keep first aid rescue equipment and a cordless phone with posted emergency numbers within reach.  Irreversible brain damage occurs after only 5-6 minutes.  A drowned child is typically not even found until after 10 minutes.  Teach your children rules of swimming, such as always swimming with a buddy, always jump in feet first and never push or jump on others. 

When visiting a public pool or water park, keep an eye on your kids.  Life guards are not babysitters.  If you are looking at a book or a magazine or engaged in a conversation, you are not providing active supervision.  Make sure your children follow the posted rules for the pool or park your family visits, they are their for your protection.

A final layer is to enroll your children in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of 4 not participate in formal swimming lessons, although developmentally appropriate one-on-one lessons for infants and toddlers are proven successful and available in our area.  Make no mistake though, swim lessons do not make a child drown proof.

These multiple safety precautions provide layers of protection for our children, but the most important precaution a parent can take is active supervision.  The AAP recommends that parents stay within an arm’s length of their child when in or around the water. 

Remember, kids don’t only drown in pools; ponds, lakes, canals, bathtubs, buckets, toilets and hot tubs are drowning dangers as well.  Keep our kids safe this summer by layering them with the three S’s of summer, sun block, safety, and supervision.

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