Keeping Kids Safe in the Heat

Over the past few days the temperatures in the SCV have gone through the roof and quick. We didn’t really ramp up to it, it just got 20 degrees hotter from one day to the next. The news has brought tragic reports of children that have drowned and almost drowned over the weekend. With this in mind I hope we all take some time to prepare for the summer and plan ahead on safety and summer activities.

Sadly, every year over 250 children under 5 years old drown in swimming pools and another 2,600 children under age five are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year following submersion incidents. Some of these submersions result in permanent brain damage.

The reality is that kids like to swim and and is a fun and healthy activity.  In addition, teaching your kids to swim at a young age can benefit them as teens and adults.  Not to mention that when you live in what was once a desert, swimming is a way of life during the summer, so let’s take a few moments and remind ourselves and others of some safety tips that may save a child.

Swimming Pool Safety

Here are some suggestions I found that I hope will help increase awareness throughout the summer.

• If a child is missing, always look in the pool first!
• While at a pool have your child wear a safety device at all times.  You can find these at Target or Walmart (even some markets) and they are well worth it.
• Just because a child knows how to swim doesn’t mean they can’t drown in a pool. Always keep your eye on them while they are swimming.
• If your child has long hair, remember that a pool drain can entrap a child.  Long hair can easily be sucked into the drain and put a child in danger.  Consider a bun, pinning the hair back with a clip or a swimmer’s cap, most public pools require them anyway. This is the same for a limb if the drain cover is broken. If you are swimming at a public pool, know where the safety equipment is and have a cell phone with you.
• Do not use pools or spas with a missing or broken drain cover, the risk of entrapment increases with broken drains.
• Know where the circuit breaker breaker switch is for the pool/spa. The CPSC recommends that if your child is trapped by the suction cut off the power immediately instead of trying to pull your child from the suction, slip your hand in to break the seal. Tip: Find the circuit at your house and label it POOL/SPA so you or anyone else doesn’t have to waste time trying to find it. Consider installing a Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS) , a device that will automatically shut off a pump if a blockage is detected.
• Pool alarms can be used as an added precaution. Underwater pool alarms generally perform better and can be used in conjunction with pool covers.
• Empty homes in your neighborhood may have a pool that is a risk to your child.  Even an empty pool can be dangerous.  Not sure ifa house has a pool or not?  Use Google maps to check your neighborhood.  You can see everyone’s back yard. If there is a gate, ask the owner, real estate agent or bank if they could put a lock on the gate.  Especially if the gate opens into the backyard.  An unlatched gate can easily be pushed open by a toddler.  

Swimming pools aren’t the only danger factor facing the kids in the heat. So many kids will be playing sports this summer and as we all know, the games do go on even if it hits 110. There are obvious things that we all know and tell our kids, but there are some extra things that we can do to be more proactive.

Being Safe in the Heat

Here’s a few suggestions for keeping the kids cooler in the hot summer ahead:

• If you or your kids are playing sports this summer you will probably be packing plenty of ice water. Consider bringing a big ziplock bag and put a couple of small cloth towels with ice and some water. During breaks the kids can get these wet and put them on the back of their necks or on the top of their heads to cool down.
  Remember to hydrate the day before you plan on being active in the sun.  Drinking plenty of water the day before a planned outdoor event, games, tournaments, etc. can help keep you and your kids hydrated while out in the heat.
• Sunscreen. Sunscreen. Sunscreen. Remember that it must be applied at least a half an hour before you go outside and re-applied every 2-3 hours.Try using a spray on for areas that are hard to get to. We’ve all had that (oh I missed a spot) burn line on our shoulders or on your back. I’ve heard that anything over 15 spf is a marketing tactic and that all you really need is 15. I use the highest I can get anyway. Weather or not it works any more than the 15.
• Sunglasses. We use sunglasses, why not get some for your little ones? Eyes are in danger of getting sun damage as well as our skin. Kids as young as one can begin wearing sunglasses. If you get them into this habit at a young age, it’ll be easier to get them to wear them when they get older.
• Hats or Visors. If you are out in the heat of the summer all day, you will more than likely be looking for some shade in the form of a tree or even a hat. Bring along a hat for your little one to wear because more than likely, they will still want to be out playing in the sun. Try dipping the hat in some ice water then putting it on their head. It’s a great way to cool down quick and lots of kids really like it. Tip: Try finding a hat that has some material hanging down around the sided or back.
• Neck Coolers are fantastic and reusable.  You can usually get enough uses out of one to last a month or so depending on how well you take care of it.
• Umbrellas. You can pick up a big beach umbrella and pack it with you wherever you are going. If you get some small bungee cords, it’s easy to tie the umbrella to the back of your chair or cooler.

Additional Resources
Consumer Product Safety Alert
Consumer Product Safety Commission : Backyard Pool
Consumer Product Safety Commission: Pool Spa Entrapment Injuries
Baby and Toddler Swimming Safety Tips