Be Water-Safe This Summer
Unintentional drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4. It is a SILENT killer, but it’s completely preventable. If your summer plans include any amount of time poolside, boating, or on the beach, you’ll want to make sure you’re practicing good water safety. Anywhere there is water, there is a risk of drowning — especially for children and other inexperienced swimmers.
Six Ways to be Water-Safe
- Always swim and boat with a buddy! There’s safety in numbers.
- Avoid alcohol when in or around the water, especially in areas where there’s no lifeguard on duty and/or you’re unfamiliar with the strength of the tide/current.
- Stay alert and always keep an eye on kids. If a child is missing, check for them in the water first — seconds count!
- Empty tubs, buckets and kiddie pools immediately after use.
- Teach children how to swim.
Boating? A real boater always wears a properly fitted life jacket and encourages others to do the same … and a safe boat operator wears the engine kill switch.
Please note: Missouri law requires boaters to have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket on board and accessible for each occupant of the boat, and that kids 7 and under are required to wear a life jacket whenever they are on a boat except in the cabin area of a houseboat or cruiser.