LiveSmart: 6 Rules to Ensure Summer Safety on the Water

By The Primary Care Team - St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates

This summer has been a scorcher, which means a lot of people’s minds are on cooling down in and on the water. While part of summer is certainly making memories at local lakes and ponds, swimming holes and pools, ensuring the memories are good ones means putting safety first.

Every day, about 12 people die from unintentional drowning in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and half of those individuals are children aged 14 or younger. Drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and for every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.

Drowning happens quickly and quietly. So, parents: When your kids are on, in or near the water, you’re on full-time duty. No one wants an enjoyable day at the pool or the beach to end in tragedy. 

To make sure the kids have a safe and happy summer, follow these six rules:

• If you own a pool, have it surrounded by the appropriate fence and secure when not being used. Families who use backyard wading pools should turn them upside down when they’re done playing for the day.
• Always have designated adults supervising kids in the water. For small kids, this means being within arm’s reach at all times.
• Don’t read, talk on the phone or do anything that distracts from your lifeguard responsibilities. Stay sober. Have a phone handy to call 9-1-1 if needed. 
• Have everyone in the family take swimming lessons. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that parents use the age of three as a general guideline for the age to begin swimming lessons. Those old enough should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Don’t use toys or flotation devices as a substitute for supervision or life jackets.
• If you go to a public pool or beach, make sure it’s in a supervised, marked area with a lifeguard present. Keep an eye on the weather. 

Families who enjoy kayaking, canoeing or boating are also reminded children under 12 years of age are required by NYS law to wear a personal flotation device while on recreational watercraft less than 21 feet in length. 

Finally, don’t forget the sunscreen. Sunscreen breaks down and rubs off with normal wear, swimming and sweating, so don't forget to re-apply approximately every two hours. 

If you are looking for a care provider in the Capital Region, St. Peter’s Health Partners has a FREE physician referral and information line, which provides information about physicians affiliated with St. Peter’s Health Partners, as well as information about other St. Peter’s services: 518-525-2CARE (518-525-2227).

For more information on providers throughout the St. Peter’s system of care, please visit Medical Associates | St. Peter's Health Partners.