The warm weather is on its way back to the Valley. Which means that everyone will soon start getting their pools ready for both the late spring and early summer months to help deal with the 100+ degree weather that we get annually. Every year we see it on the news, drownings upon drownings all throughout Arizona. Campaigns are always launched to protect children around water, but unfortunately every year we see a spike in water related deaths among children.
We always try to help everyone with tips and advice when it comes to safety to you and your loved ones and pool safety is no different. We’ve compiled a list of ways to make sure you and your loved ones are safe while enjoying the water this summer.
- Don’t ever swim alone.
- Never leave a child alone near water. If you must leave, take your child with you.
- Enroll children over age three in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors.
In addition to water safety relating to swimming pools, you must be aware of other drowning dangers, especially for children, in and around your home. These include bathtubs, decorative ponds, and even mop buckets. It only takes 2 inches of water and a couple of minutes for a small child to drown.
Carelessness while participating in water sports, including boating accidents, tubing, and piloting personal watercraft, contributes to many drowning deaths in Arizona. Following these water safety tips from the National Safety Council can help prevent such tragedies:
- Always use approved personal flotation devices (life jackets).
- Don't jump or dive into unknown bodies of water.
- Always have a first-aid kit and emergency phone contacts handy.
- Never consume alcohol when operating a boat or other watercraft.
Arizona is a wonderland for outdoor recreation throughout the year. It's also well known for being consistently above the national average for drowning deaths. Water safety is serious business.
Following these few simple rules can keep your outdoor activities fun, and your friends and family safe for many summers to come.
