Water & Swimming Safety

Too often after a tragic accident people say, "I only turned my back for a few seconds."  Unfortunately, it only takes a few seconds for a child to drown. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death across America for children under age four. It is a great concern in the Kirksville Fire Department area due to the number of backyard pools, one of the most common drowning sites.

Children  also drown  with alarming frequency in bathtubs, buckets, lakes and ponds. Anyone with children, anyone who owns a pool and any relative, baby-sitter or friend ever given the responsibility of watching a child needs to be aware of this tragedy.

MORE THAN 4,000 CHILDREN ARE SCALDED BY TAP WATER EVERY YEAR!!

Scald burns are most common among young children. And yet, these accidents are so easy to prevent if you'll just follow these simple steps:

1. Before putting your child in the bath tub, test the water by moving your hand around in the water to make sure it's not too hot.

2. Never leave your child alone, not even for a second. If you need to answer the phone or doorbell, take your child with you.

Remember, tap water scald burns can be as serious as burns from hot liquid spills from a stove top. And tap water burns usually cover a larger area of the body.

Here are some steps you can take to prevent drowning:

• Make sure pools are secure and completely surrounded by a fence with a self-locking gate.

• Keep items which can be used for climbing (tables, chairs, ladders) away from fences.

• Don't allow children to play in pool areas.

• Don't leave children unattended while talking on the telephone.

• Never allow children to be alone near a pool.

• Always make sure a responsible adult is present.

• Mount flotation devices designed for lifesaving near the pool.

• Always leave the toilet lid closed when small children are present.

• Never allow buckets filled with water or liquid unattended to be around toddlers.

• Post the "9-1-1" emergency telephone number on phones near the pool.

• Don't leave a child alone in a bathtub or a room with a filled tub.

• Learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

Many accidental drownings result from diving injuries. Diving into shallow water, or striking an unseen obstacle can lead to unconsciousness, spinal cord injury, and all too often, death. Always test water depth before  diving, and if you are unable to see below the water's surface, don't dive. Even if you are sure your path is clear, keep your arms extended above your head when diving--your hands (not your head) will hit an unseen obstacle first.

River currents are extremely dangerous, even when the water level is low. Drowning victims are often caught in river debris that can't be seen from the surface.

Teach your children these simple steps to safety:

Stop!
        Remember to stop and wait for permission to go into the water.

Look!
        Make sure the water is safe and an adult is with you. Take along a buddy.          Know where it is safe to enter, know where deep water is located. Look out for weeds, currents, rocks and other hazards.  

Go Slow!
        It is important to be careful around water. Be sure you know how to make a safe entry into the water.

Avoid Neck Injuries!
        Teach your children NOT to dive into unknown water. Make sure your children check the water depth and look for any unseen hazards below the surface of the water before they begin to dive.