Taking the Kids: Essential summer travel safety hacks
Who is the designated water watcher?
Huh? According to the American Red Cross, the water watcher is the adult (or teen 16 and older) who ideally knows CPR, and is watching the kids in the water – not reading, texting, chatting or sipping a frothy cocktail at the same time. That said, they also need a working phone in case they need to call 9-1-1 and some sort of flotation device that can be used in a rescue.
Not necessary, you think? There are lifeguards on duty. You are on vacation and want to relax.
“It is important to remember sometimes you need to be MORE vigilant (on vacation) since you may be in less familiar surroundings. So, especially if you have children who are school age or younger, and if there is a swimming pool or body of water nearby – like a beach – parents and caregivers need to be especially careful,” said Dr. Lois Lee, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Boston Children’s Hospital and Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention.
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers 12 Tips for Beach Safety: Safe Fun in the Sun, Sand and Sea.
It only takes a moment for a child to drown. According to the American Red Cross, drowning is responsible for more deaths among children ages one to four than any other cause, except birth defects. For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency care for nonfatal submersion injuries. Dr. Lee notes that the most common injuries seen in the ER related to summer vacations are drownings and non-fatal drownings.
Most children younger than five drown in pools owned by family or friends where there won’t be lifeguards. Older children are more likely to drown in lakes or ponds where there might not be lifeguards, either. Sixty-four percent of African American children and 45 percent of Hispanic children have few to no swimming skills, according to the American Red Cross.
Consider that on cruise ships or hotels there may not be lifeguards at the pools and even if there are, they can’t keep their eyes on all the kids every minute. In a crowded pool, hot tub, or lazy river, it’s all too easy for a child to slip under the surface without anyone noticing.
The American Red Cross urges that we all pay attention to the Circle of Drowning Prevention. That includes everyone always swimming with a buddy.
Does everyone in your family know basic water safety skills? The American Red Cross has Longfellow whose WHALE Tales can help teach young children important water safety topics with content designed for kids kindergarten through second grade and third through fifth grade with videos and activity sheets. Check out this video from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how to keep young children safe near water.
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