Water Safety Tips For Children

Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital would like to remind the community of water safety tips for the summer:

• Water survival skills: Children should be able to do these five things.
  • Step or jump into water over the head and return to surface.
  • Turn around in the water and orient to safety.
  • Float or tread water.
  • Combine breathing with forward movement in the water.
  • Exit the water.
• Safety in different bodies of water: According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children and teens drown in open water about as often as in pools.
  • Pools: Make sure pools have four-sided fencing at least four feet high with self-closing and self-latching gates. Assign a designated water watcher who is responsible for watching the children in the water.
  • Open water: Use a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket appropriate for the child's weight and water activity. Remind children of hidden hazards of open water, such as limited visibility, sudden drop-offs, uneven surfaces, currents and undertow.
• Rescue and CPR: It is important to know how to respond in an emergency by knowing basic water rescue skills and CPR. Select designated swimming areas and recreational areas when possible.

Visit the Dolly Children’s booth at Dollywood’s Splash Country’s Water Safety Day presented by Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen on Thursday, June 25th to learn more helpful tips.