The Off Duty Network - Public Safety Education

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER LEAVE YOUR CHILD ALONE NEAR WATER

When a child is under water, brain damage can happen in as little as four minutes.  Approximately 20 percent of all children who experience a near drowning suffer some sort of severe and or permanent disability. 

PLAY IT SAFE - DON'T DIVE

• Home pools aren't safe for diving - the water isn't deep enough.

• Lakes and rivers are also dangerous - the water may not be deep enough or there could be hazards hiding beneath the surface

• Sliding down a pool slide head first can cause serious head injuries - the child may head their head on the bottom on the pool

BE SMART: TEACH YOUR CHILD HOW TO SWIM

Have a certified instructor teach your child how to swim and review their skill every summer.  Always use a approved personal floatation device (PFDs) rather than inflatable devices to keep your child a float.

PRACTICE SAFETY IN THE WINTER

To a child pools look like fun all year round.  Wintertime adds new dangers:

• If a child falls into a pool and remains under water it's often hard to see them because of the algae

• It is also nearly impossible to them to swim in heavy winter clothes and in cold water.