Watch kids around water

As our already hot summer continues, don’t forget to keep children safe around water. Drowning is quick and quiet, so preventing it requires constant visual supervision.

This year, 49 children have drowned in Texas, with five of those in Central Texas. Our youngest children are our most vulnerable. Of the reported drownings, about three-quarters of them are 6 years old or younger, and four out of five of the Central Texas deaths occurred in a backyard pool. All children, even teens, are vulnerable to drowning, and 25 percent of victims in Texas are older than 6.

Since January 2018, two children drowned in McLennan County, and there was one drowning death each in Travis, Bell and Brazos Counties. Only the Brazos County death occurred in a pond with all the others in backyard pools. The oldest child who drowned in Central Texas was 3, and three of the children were only 1 years-old.

Watch Kids Tips

• Designate an adult to constantly watch children around water
• Make sure the adult knows CPR and has a phone to dial 9-1-1
• Do not consume alcohol while watching the kids around water
• Avoid using electronic devices and social media while watching the kids
• Teach your kids to swim
• Keep weak swimmers and non-swimmers within arm’s reach (They should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.)

Layers of Protection Tips

• Protect small children from water sources in the home and yards
• Ensure multiple barriers around water, such as locked house doors and locked gates on pool fences (Gates should swing out to open.)
• Make sure children cannot go out the dog door to get outside
• Remove all toys from pools
• Remove the ladder from above-ground pools
• Consider a pool alarm.

 For more water safety information, videos and tips for parents and caregivers, go online.