The importance of water safety as families head outdoors for summer fun

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – As families prepare to spend time outdoors this summer, health officials are discussing the importance of water safety to prevent tragic accidents.

Shawna Rhine, Community Outreach Coordinator with Southern 7 Health Department, is encouraging parents to take steps to protect their children in and around water this summer and beyond.

“Families are getting ready to be in and around the water this summer, and their goal often is to have fun,” Rhine said. “We want their priority to be safety because unintentional drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and the number two death for children ages 0 to 17 nationwide.”

Rhine advises that children receive swim lessons from qualified instructors before entering any body of water and that they are always supervised, especially if they are brand new swimmers.

She also talks about securing backyard pools and hot tubs with fencing and self closing latches to prevent unsupervised access.

“When it comes to your hot tubs and swimming pools, you want to make sure that they are fenced in and have self-closing latches,” Rhine said. “We do see a lot of drowning accidents in that way.”

Boating safety is another concern, and Rhine suggests families to make sure everyone on board wears a properly fitted life jacket, regardless of age.

Rhine also cautions against letting children play in lakes, ponds and creeks, which may contain hidden dangers such as broken glass, or sharp objects.

“It’s best just to avoid getting into those bodies of water,” she said.

The message comes as the Illinois Department of Public Health supports the CDC’s Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, which runs through May 25. The campaign offers tips to reduce risks related to drowning, waterborne illness, and pool chemical injuries.