May 2017

SAFETY
for Children and Families
by Andrew Leone
What do we love about living in
South Florida? The year-round,
summer-like weather is a good
choice. However, with the blessings
also come the responsibilities. With
access to pools, oceans, and canals
we are in an environment where
those who are not “Water Smart”
can suffer serious consequences.
Drowning is one of the two top causes
of death for children five and younger
in Broward County (the other is unsafe
sleep practices). For every child who dies
from drowning, four more suffer life-long
injuries that cause severe emotional
and financial stress. Most importantly,
drowning is preventable. That is why
the SWIMS Foundation, the Children’s
Services Council of Broward County,
SWIM Central, the Department of Health,
the YMCA, Pediatrics Associates, and
many others integrate the Water Smart
Broward Campaign. Each one of these
organizations brings resources that
help children and adults be safer in and
around water.
What are the most important things to
remember about water safety? First
and foremost: adult supervision. Taking
ownership of one’s child’s safety is the
best thing any parent or responsible
caregiver can do to avoid a drowning
incident. Anyone who has taken care of
a toddler, however, knows that constant
supervision is nearly impossible. Being
water smart includes creating barriers
between the child and the body of water,
such as:
• Installing child proof doors and
locks, with handles at least 5’ high
• Installing alarms on access doors to
all water environments
• Installing a four-sided pool fence
• Learning CPR and other rescue
techniques.
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Often, when a child is missing, the
caregiver will search many locations,
while the most important thing to do
is to “Check the Water First!” When a
drowning occurs, seconds count. So,
whether it’s the pool, lake, canal, or
even the tub… checking the water first
is the rule of thumb. If a child is found
submerged, immediately call 9-1-1. If
more than one person is available to
help, one should call 9-1-1 while another
administers CPR.
Tragically, drownings often occur at
a pool or other waterfront activities
like children’s parties where everyone
assumes someone else is watching. It
is imperative to always appoint a water
watcher, a responsible adult who will
focus on the children in and around the
water and make sure they are carefully
supervised. Never trust another child with
that responsibility or devices such as arm
bracelets or rings. The latter are toys, not
lifesaving devices.
Drowning accidents can happen
to anyone. Many parents who lost
a child to drowning never thought
it could happen to them. Children,
especially toddlers who easily and
quickly leave a safe, supervised
area unnoticed, need capable, close,
and constant supervision.
Through funding from the CSC,
Broward County residents can take
advantage of low or no-cost water safety
instruction for children 6-months through
4-years-old. By simply going to www.
watersmartbroward.org, anyone can
ask for a coupon worth $40 redeemable
at any number of aquatic centers in
Broward. The SWIMS Foundation
provides similar $50 value coupons for
adults who wish to learn how to swim.
These can also be redeemed on the
Water Smart Broward website, as well as
www.swimsfoundation.org.
MAY 2017
Children who attend public schools can
take advantage of the Swim Central
program available to all kindergarten
and first-grade students. Parents or
guardians should look for a permission
slip being sent home, sign off, and make
sure that on designated days the child
goes to school with proper swimwear
and a towel. With CSC funding, bus
transportation provided by Broward
County Schools, and the support of
Broward County Parks & Recreation,
this program is free and it is available to
all children in public school. It would be
foolish not to take advantage of it, even
if for this simple reason: since its start in
1999, more than three million lessons
were given and only one child who has
participated in the program has drowned.
For more
information on
the Water
Smart
Broward
program
and
Swim
Central,
call
954-377-
SWIM
or 2-1-1.
Let’s all
be smarter
about living
in South Florida,
enjoy the benefit
of year-round beautiful weather, and
learn lifesaving skills that can help avoid
needless tragedies. P
Andrew Leon is the assistant director of
Communications and Outreach, CSC
Broward President, SWIMS Foundation.