The heat is on.
Apparently, we don’t have to wait until Memorial Day for summer weather to commence. Much of the nation is expected to experience record-breaking heat this weekend.
In my neck of the woods, daytime highs are supposed to hit 90 degrees tomorrow and Sunday. That’s a huge deal, especially since there have been years when it has snowed in late May.
While the fabulous weather is reason to celebrate, it should also serve as a reminder to parents to be more vigilant as kids look to cool off around water. According to a new government report, drowning kills more American children ages 1 to 4 years old than any other cause save for birth defects.
The just published report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that most drownings took place in swimming pools and could have easily been prevented had an adult been present.
Of the kids who survived pool accidents, many suffered irreversible brain damage, according to the CDC’s report.
In order to prevent needless childhood drownings this summer, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents heed these tips:
*Never leave a child alone near a pool.
*Never leave toys in or around a pool.
*Adults monitoring children near water sources should learn CPR.
*Children should never swim alone.
*Keep a phone by the pool, along with rescue equipment, such as a life preserver.
*If you have an inflatable or plastic pool, empty it after each use and turn it upside down.
Experts also recommend children ages 1 to 4 years old take swimming lessons; however, they warn moms and dads that just because their kids know how to swim does not guarantee that they are immune from drowning. Regardless of your child’s swimming skills, you should still monitor him or her while he is in a pool, lake, pond or ocean.
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