Swim season is Here! Reminders to help you Keep your kids safe

• KELSEY STEWART/WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE

  People hit the La Vista Municipal Pool recently. The pool - like so many others in the metro area - is open for the summer.

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POSTED: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016 12:00 AM

From staff reports

The pools are open, boats are back on lakes and families will be flocking to water all summer long. Make water safety a top priority this season.

Sobering statistics: Children ages 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rates, and drowning is responsible for more deaths among children in this age group than any other cause except birth defects. Among children ages 1-14, fatal drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths, second only to motor vehicle crashes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Remain vigilant: Always supervise kids whenever they’re around the water – even when lifeguards are on duty. Never just drop your children off at a public pool or leave them at a beach. If you need to leave the water area, designate another adult to supervise in the interim. American Red Cross

Create barriers: Most drownings occur at home swimming pools.Make sure yours and your neighbors’ have the proper barriers. Pool fences should be at least four feet high with no foot or handrails for children to climb. Slates should be less than four inches, so kids can’t squeeze through. If chain link, openings should be no larger than 1 ¾ inches. Gates should be self-closing and self-latching, with latches securely out of a child’s reach. Lockable pool covers and alarms are additional safety options. KidsHealth.org

Drain safety: Suction from pool drains can trap swimmers underwater. Never use a pool if there are broken or missing drain covers.  Ask your pool operator if your pool’s drains are compliant with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.  The act, signed into law by President Bush in 2007, is named after a 7-year-old girl who became trapped by a faulty drain and was unable to pull herself free.  PoolSafely.gov

Suit up: Children should always wear a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard while on boats, around open bodies of water or when participating in water sports. Jackets should fit snugly. Have your child make a "touchdown" signal by raising both arms straight up; if the life jacket hits the chin or ears, it might be too big or the straps too loose. Adults should set good examples by also always wearing life jackets. Safe Kids World Wide

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Compiled by Momaha Magazine