Who says summer says swimming, swimming pool, beach, river… but also vigilance regarding the risk of drowning. In France, accidental drownings are responsible for around 1 deaths each year (half of which during the summer period), which makes it the leading cause of everyday accident death among people under 000 years of age. But by taking a few precautions, most accidents could be avoided. In an article published in the magazine ליכטיגע זייט and spotted by Parole de Mamans, Natalie Livingston, a mother who has been leading the drowning investigation for several years, offers her advice to all parents who want to spend a peaceful summer by the water.
1. Explain the dangers
Without being alarmist, clearly tell your child what drowning is and make him understand the importance of following certain rules.
2. Define security measures
Once the danger is understood, you can put some rules in place to follow. Clearly tell them where it is possible to swim, jump, the importance of wet neck before entering the water, not to run around the pool, not to enter it without the presence of an adult , etc.
3. Switch off your phone
Drowning quickly happened. A phone call, a text message to write can be enough to distract us and forget, for a few minutes, to watch the children. Natalie Livingston therefore advises putting your phone in airplane mode, or setting a reminder every minute to remember to look up.
4. Don’t trust others to watch over your children
You will always be more vigilant than others.
5. Give yourself and the kids a break
Because your alertness may drop and because it is good to rest, have everyone take a break when they get out of the water. Maybe it’s time for an ice cream ?!
6. Have children wear life jackets
It may not be very funny, but they are the only floating aids that comply with the regulations.
7. Educate children about their height in relation to the depth of the water.
Show them how deep is for their height and where they should not go.
8. Teach the 5 second rule
If anyone is underwater, have the children start counting to 5. If they do not see the person ascend after 5 seconds, they should immediately alert an adult.
9. Teach children to respect each other’s personal space
No need to stick in the water, at the risk of making the other panic.
10. When the children demonstrate, take the opportunity to review the safety rules.
“Mom look, look, what I can do!” »: When your child tells you this, it is usually that he is about to do something dangerous. Now is the time to remember the rules.