8 easy ways for kids to swim safe this summer

The numbers are disturbing: Every day in the United States, an average of two children drown.  The CDC reports that drowning is the second most common cause of injury-related death for children, behind motor vehicle accidents. And drowning is the most common cause of death in children ages 1 to 4.

But a nationwide effort to change those statistics is now underway as May ushers in National Water Safety Month.

As the summer months approach, families fill up their backyard pools, head to community pools and vacation at lakes and beaches.  In those moments, it’s easy to overlook hazards that can put anyone, especially young children, in danger. When crowds gather around the pool, says Traci Brown, co-owner of British Swim School – Pittsburgh, “it tends to be a social event.  Everyone thinks someone else is watching the kids.”

Brown describes that as one of the biggest mistakes parents make near water.  She advocates assigning a “water watcher,” whose job it is to constantly scan for trouble in the pool.  The key, she says, is giving that person a lanyard to wear.

“It reminds people, ‘I need to keep my eyes on the pool.  If I’m running to the bathroom, I’m going to hand this off to you.’” Brown says. “It’s a tangible reminder, holds you accountable.”

Kids Plus Pediatrics advises adults to keep an ear out for noise when kids are playing in or near the water. If it gets too quiet, find out why!

More ways to keep your family safe near water, courtesy of the International Swimming Hall of Fame:

• Equip doors and windows that connect to a pool area with alarms
• Don’t leave objects such as toys that might attract a child in the pool and pool area.
• Don’t use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision. Never allow a young child in a pool without an adult.
• Don’t leave chairs or other items of furniture where a child could use them to climb into a fenced pool area.
• Don’t think you’ll hear a child who’s in trouble in the water; child drowning is a silent death, with no splashing to alert anyone that the child is in trouble.

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh also recommends that caregivers learn CPR and insist on using the buddy system so that children don’t swim alone. Pool rules should also prohibit children from chewing gum or eating when they’re swimming, diving or playing in the water, according to the hospital’s swim safety guidelines.

The British Swim School’s model differs from many other swimming classes.  The first thing they teach swimmers is to float on their back unassisted.

“Even the best swimmer in the world might find themselves in a bad spot,” Brown says.  “If they know how to roll over on their back they can compose themselves, breathe and get help.”

The technique works even with the youngest babies. Brown says 8-month-olds in the program can float on their own for as long as seven to eight minutes. In fact, she says, when it comes to learning to float on the back, the younger the better.

“Before they are sitting up and crawling is the best time because they’re used to being on their backs,” Brown says. “Once they’re crawling it does not feel natural to lie on their backs in the water.”

Scarlett Trezza is always eager to show off her skills in the pool.  At just 2 years old, the Wexford tot spent the winter months enrolled in the British Swim School – Pittsburgh’s classes.  She now amazes onlookers at the pool with her ability to jump into the water and float — a skill that would prove invaluable if she ever found herself in trouble in the water. With the comfort she has in the water, Scarlett is now learning to propel herself forward, do the backstroke and breathe while swimming.