Drowning is a leading cause of death in infants, toddlers, and children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adds:
In fact, drowning kills more young children 1-4 years than anything else except birth defects. Of drowning victims who survive and are treated in emergency rooms, more than half are hospitalized or transferred for further care. These individuals often experience brain damage, which can cause memory problems, learning disabilities, or permanent loss of basic functioning (or permanent vegetative state). Learning swimming skills like floating, wearing life vests and swimming under the supervision of parents, caregivers or life guards who know CPR can prevent drowning.
This Memorial Day, the American Academy of Pediatrics is launching a water safety campaign to kick off what hopefully will be a sunny, warm, and safe summer for you and your family. Emergency room pediatrician Sarah Denny hopes the tips in the short video below will help eliminate these preventable tragedies:
https://youtu.be/RhU6-2b6nC8
Read “Summer Safety Tips: Sun and Water Safety” from the AAP at healthychildren.org.
Back pat: Dr. Ray O’Toole, Pediatric Alliance — Chartiers/McMurray.