Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

As summer gets hotter, more people will cool off in the nearest pool or lake. Before that refreshing swim, review water safety rules with family and friends. Swimming and other water sports can be risky for anyone, but especially to children and young adults. Drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related deaths for children aged 1-19. Diving accidents most often occur in those aged 15 – 39, resulting in head and spinal cord injury or even death. Alcohol use is linked with 50% of water related deaths.

Swimming pools pose the biggest risk. About 60 to 90 percent of drownings among children aged 0-4 occur in residential pools. But special risks are present when swimming in lakes, oceans or rivers. Open water has limited visibility and conditions can change fast. Currents can move and change rapidly, putting even expert swimmers in danger. Never swim alone or in unsupervised areas. Follow these safety rules.

• Learn to swim.
• Before diving, be sure the water is at least 9-feet deep.
• Do not drink alcohol, chew gum or eat while enjoying water sports or swimming.
• Always use life jackets when boating.
• Prevent children from having direct access to a swimming pool from the house or yard. An adult should constantly watch young children swimming or playing in the water.
• Teach children to always swim with a buddy.
• Keep young children away from small containers of water or liquid, especially 5-gallon industrial containers.
• Never leave a small child unattended in a shallow, children’s pool or in a bathtub.

For more information, call the Genesee County Health Department at 785-9711.