Water Safety - Yosina Becomes a Child Safety Advocate

Ever since the near drowning of Rylie a few years back I have becoming more and more active in drowning prevention. I have been working on legislation, and now have found a new group to sponsor it - Safe Kids. They are a world wide organization that helps prevent the accidental death and injury to children (www.safekids.org). I am now speaking on the subject and recently did a local news segment and believe that others will be in the near future!

Here are some water safety points to remember:

Water Safety Points
1. Never take your eyes off of children in the pool - even for a moment! Even if your children can swim! If you are in a group, appoint a designated "water watcher," taking turns with other adults.
2. While supervising, stay alert and avoid distratcions like reading, gardening or the telephone.
3. Teach children to tread water, float and get out of the pool. All children after age 4 should learn how to swim.
4. Tell children to stay away from pool and spa drains.
5. Don't rely on water wings or inflatable toys!

Drowning Statistics
1. Drowing is the leading cause of unintentional death of children under age 4 - and the second leading cause of unintentional death of children under age 14.
2. Drowning increases 89% in the summer months.
3. Nearly 9 out of 10 fatal drownings occur during a brief lapse in supervision; Most children who drown in swimming pools, had been missing from sight for less than five minutes and were in the care of one or both parents at the time of drowning.
4. Only 10 states require some type of fencing around residential swimming pools (California is one); Only 5 states have laws to prevent drain entrapment incidents (California is one).

Here is the video link: http://video.nbcsandiego.com/player/?id=124932

See you all in August!