in places like the bathtub, [ the ] toilet and buckets. Toddlers and younger children are more likely to drown in pools or retention ponds, and we see the highest risk for older children in open bodies of water like lakes, rivers and the ocean.”
To ensure kids stay safe in the water, Winberry recommends parents:
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Assign a“ Water Watcher” to actively supervise kids any time they are swimming. This designated adult should not be distracted by their phone, a book or conversations with others.
💟 Stay within an arm’ s reach of children at all times.
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Install multiple layers of protection around bodies of water. Door locks, alarms( for doors, windows and pool entrances) and fences around pools are a few examples of barriers. Remember, no single barrier is 100 % effective!
h Mandy Harry with her family
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Remove all toys and floats from the pool / water when swim time is over so a child does not try to reach for an item and fall in.
💟 Get trained in CPR to provide life-saving care, should a child need it.
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Enroll children in swimming lessons annually to keep skills sharp.
Use only United States Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Life jackets need to fit properly and be worn correctly. Products that are not USCGapproved are not considered life-saving devices.
While Harry learned all of this in the most difficult way possible, she is committed to spreading the word to prevent another family from going through a tragedy. In the meantime, she’ s grateful for every night Calvin spends peacefully sleeping and the opportunity she once took for granted: to watch her boy grow up.
THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health at Wolfson Children’ s Hospital provides child injury prevention information through Safe Kids Northeast Florida. Programs offered include water safety, car safety, infant safety, bike safety and home safety. To learn more, call 904.202.4302.
Originally ran in Baptist Health Juice on May 14, 2021
12 | FLAGLER PARENT M A G A Z I N E