Drowning has become the leading cause of death for children under six years old in the Tampa Bay area. Between 2013 and 2018, 63 local children—enough to fill a school bus—died from accidental drowning.
Water Safety Tips for Parents and Caregivers
- Stay Alert -Children drown silently without splashing or calling for help, making it easy for a drowning child to go unnoticed. Always stay vigilant.
- Designate a “Water Watcher”: Assign an adult to constantly monitor children near water and avoid distractions like phone calls, texting, reading, or using electronic devices.
- Be Within Arm’s Reach: When infants and toddlers are near water, an adult should stay within arm’s reach, ready to rescue if needed.
- Never Rely on Flotation Devices: Use flotation devices such as water wings, inner tubes, or life vests only alongside close adult supervision.
- Limit Kids’ Access to Pools and Hot Tubs: Install barriers and locks on your pool, ensuring any pool your child visits has similar safeguards. All pools should have fences with self-closing, self-latching locks out of children’s reach. Homes with pools should also have alarms on all doors and windows to alert if a child goes outside.
- Lock Your Doors: Ensure exterior doors are locked to prevent children from accessing pools, lakes, canals, and ponds.
- Teach Your Child to Swim: Many local organizations offer swim lessons for children.
- Be Aware of Hidden Hazards: Empty bathtubs, buckets, and inflatable pools when not in use. Keep pet bowls out of children’s reach and bathroom doors closed.
Sign up will begin soon for the Lealman Water Safety & Job Readiness Program. You can donate here to sponsor a child’s swim lessons.