Keep Summer Fun: Ten Rules To Prevent Child Drowning

ED physicians at UCLA are reminding parents to follow 10 basic rules to prevent drowning and water-immersion injuries this summer: 1) Never leave a child unattended or with a young sibling in a swimming pool, wading pool, bathtub, or hot tub. 2) Pools should be fenced and gated with self–locking gates. Pools should be kept clean—there should be no covers or rafts that might obstruct one’s view of a child. 3) Always secure the safety cover on your spa or hot tub. 4) Be sure all large containers with liquids are emptied immediately after use. 5) Adults and teenagers age 14 and older who supervise children should know CPR. 6) Children should be given swimming lessons, but should not be considered water safe until they are 14 years old. 7) Keep small children out of bathrooms unless supervised by an adult or older child. 8) Older children and even adults should not swim alone in the ocean or fast–moving rivers. 9) Children should wear bright–colored flotation devices when boating. 10) Don’t mix alcohol, children, and water.