How can parents keep kids safe around water in the summer?

Question

Hello doctor,

What do parents need to know about keeping their children safe around water this summer? How to stay safe at a pool (in the water and around the pool area)? How to stay safe at a beach (in the water and on the shore)? What are possible signs of distress or danger parents should look for (extreme exhaustion, coughing, heavy breathing)? What is dry drowning and what to look for? Most important points parents should teach their kids about water safety.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

1. Staying safe in and around the pool:

Avoid taking children between the age of 6 months to 4 years near pools as they may go unnoticed into the pool and may drown. If at all you do take children to the pools make sure they have their floats and other safety equipment on at all times even when out of the pool. Make sure children do not drink the water of the pool.

2. Staying safe in and around a beach:

All of the above tips plus be careful of children eating sand. Watch out for sea urchins, crabs and insects that may bite the children. Carry enough water with you and advise the children to drink plenty of water so as to prevent dehydration on a hot sunny day at the beach.

3. Warning signs: Breathlessness, fainting, drowsiness, convulsion.

4. Dry drowning is when water enters the child's nose and upper respiratory airway but does not enter the lungs due to spasm of the upper respiratory tract. Watch out for breathlessness, chest pain and irritability in this case.