Summer's here and many of us will be staying at home, getting out the paddling pool and watching as our children splash about. But, did you know a baby can drown in as little as 2cm of water? Read on to find out more about how to keep your family safe around water......
Staying is the new going out and with holiday opportunities limited for 2020, we are inevitably going to be spending more time in our homes and gardens, and when the temperatures rise, we will be enjoying paddling pools, hot tubs and residential swimming pools. But, a baby can drown in as little as 2cm of water and with water around drowning is always a risk. Don't get complacent - drownings at the home are easily preventable!
Here are some easy-to-follow tips to make sure that you and your loved ones can enjoy water safely, in and around home:
Here are some easy-to-follow tips to make sure that you and your loved ones can enjoy water safely, in and around home:
Indoors
- Always supervise bath time (never leave your children unattended)
- Empty the bath as soon as possible after use
- Close toilet lids and use toilet seat locks to prevent drowning
- Keep doors to bathrooms and utility rooms closed
- Vulnerable adults and people who suffer from sudden seizures should consider using showers rather than baths
In the garden
- Never leave your child unattended around water. REMEMBER - babies can drown in as little as 2cm of water
- Watch children when they are in or around water, without being distracted!
- Keep young children within arm’s reach of an adult
- Securely cover all water storage tanks and drains
- Empty paddling pools, containers, buckets and watering cans, as soon as they have been used
- Always turn paddling pools and containers upside down once empty, so they do not collect water
- Securely cover all hot tubs and home spas as soon as possible after use
- Make sure older children are accompanied every time when they swim or use hot tubs
- Always install self-closing and self-latching gates, fences of at least four feet tall surrounding all sides of any pool, and locks to prevent children from gaining access to home pools or pools of water
- Install secure fencing around garden ponds (at least four feet high) to act as a barrier or add mesh or a grill on top of the pond (strong enough to support a child’s weight without dropping below the surface of the pond water)
- Always turn hosepipes off at the tap, so children cannot fill vessels themselves
In residential swimming pools
- Children and weak swimmers should always be closely supervised by an adult
- Weak swimmers should stay within the pool’s recommended safety depths
- Never swim alone
- Take time to check the depth, water flow and layout of pools
- Control access to the pool by using suitable fencing, secure doors and gates, and pool or gate alarms, to monitor access to swimming pools where possible
- Never supervise children or enter the water yourself after drinking alcohol
- Have easy access to suitable rescue aids such as a torpedo buoy, rope or reach pole
- Always follow pool manufacturers advice for maintenance and safety checks
- Know what to do in an emergency: learn first aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) Book your first aid class today
Adapted by Kate Ellwood (11th June 2020) from:
Royal Life Saving Society UK: www.rlss.org.uk/water-safety-at-home
Royal Life Saving Society UK: www.rlss.org.uk/water-safety-at-home
LifeFirst provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. LifeFirst is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information. It is strongly advised that you attend a First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.
