Staying Safe: Water Safety

Staying Safe: Water Safety


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Nadine Wimmer reportingNine out of ten children who have drowned, were supposedly under supervision of a family member. We found some research that's an important, mid-summer reminder.

As parents we like to think we're keeping an eye on our kids at the pool. But these numbers are a reality check, to Staying Safe.

While supervising kids at the swimming pool say you walk to vending machines for a treat. 30 Seconds.

You start a short conversation with another parent, two minutes.

Or you read an article in a magazine, 5 minutes.

The time it takes a child to drown, according to the National Water Safety Council, 20 seconds.

It happens so fast, casual supervision is obviously not enough.

Debra Price, Mom: “Think, they think they do, but I don't know that their concern is always on the kids like it should be."

Angela Wakan, Mom: “They just walk away for a few minutes and that's all it takes."

Terry Swim Program Coordinator: "When you say supervision of a family member, are they sitting on the side of the pool reading a book or are they actually watching the kids. You really have to define the supervision level."

Attitudes say a lot. 55% of parents surveyed by the National Safe Kids Campaign say they're not at all worried or not very worried about their children drowning.

Yet, it's the number one killer of young children in Utah. So, some tips to Stay Safe.

-Make sure you're giving or getting quality supervision in the pool, teach kids to swim, and use life jackets. Don't count on those arm floaties to keep them alive.

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