Edgewood Fire Department
"Exceptional service provided by quality people, dedicated to the diverse needs of our communities."

Water Wise Kids

The first five years of a child’s life are an exciting time for parents and a fast learning time for the child. 

Preschoolers are by nature, active and curious. They begin to learn that dangers exist, they must still be protected from those dangers. Drowning is one of the many dangers that exist for young children.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of injury death in children less than five years of age.  Most childhood drowning happens in or around our homes. The leading site for drowning is the swimming pool, followed by lakes, ponds and rivers.  Drowning also occurs in bathtubs, large buckets and hot tubs. Most children who drowned in pools were last seen in the home, had been out of sight less than five minutes, and were in the care of one or both parents.  A child can drown in only two inches of water.

Drowning children rarely are able to call for help or wave their arms, and most often drown silently.

Drowning can be prevented when:

	children are closely supervised around water
	everyone learns to swim;
	more people learn CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation)
	four-sided fencing is installed around a swimming pool.
	adults don't drink prior to or while supervising children, swimming, boating, or water skiing
	life jackets are worn

Touch supervision, (being within an arms reach of your child), use of a life jacket and education help children respect and understand the danger of water and can help reduce the number of deaths related to drowning.

Help your child learn the following water safety rules:

1)                  Always wear a life jacket to keep you safe, wherever you are:

	On the dock
	In a boat
	At the lake, beach or pond
	Beside your pool  (Remember that water wings, rings and other floating toys are not intended to save lives.)

2)         Ask First!

	Ask permission before you go near or get into the water
	Ask a grown-up to watch you while you are near or in the water
	Ask a grown-up to tell you where you will be safe near or in the water

3)         If you fall into water…Your life jacket will keep you “on top” so you can:

	Yell for help
	Go to the side or edge
	Try to stand up

4)         If you see someone else fall into water:

	Yell for help
	Quickly get an adult to help
	Call 9-1-1

Remember that water safety is the responsibility of a parent or caregiver.  Practice water safety rules in your home and whenever you are near water:

	Supervise your child closely and constantly.  It only takes a few seconds for a child to drown.
	Require your child to wear a life jacket whenever he or she is near the water or on a boat.
	Set rules for bathing, wading and boating.
	Teach your child to ask first before going near on in to water. When a child asks permission, give a concrete answer, for example,  “Yes, you can swim and I will watch you”.
	Set a good example. Children are more likely to wear a life jacket if you wear one.
	Learn in the water together.  The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages formal swimming lessons for children younger than at least four years of age. Parent/infant water adjustment classes can help promote enjoyment of the water and guide parents in pre-swimming techniques, but they cannot “drown-proof” your child.
	Be prepared for an emergency. Learn CPR and how to handle emergency situations.

With your support and constant supervision of your child, together we can reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning.

Pierce County Fire District 8
10105 24th Street East
Edgewood, WA 98371
Phone:  (253) 927-2313          Fax:  (253) 927-2385