Water Safety
Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children under age 5, and the leading cause of death for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
ISR recommends a multi-layered approach towards water safety. Layers can break down, so the more layers that are in place, the stronger your water safety plan will be.
Layers of Protection and Tips
1. Effective Supervision
The most critical line of defense is adult supervision. This includes during both swim and non-swim times. A majority of water accidents and drownings happen when children are not supposed to be near the water. If your child is ever missing, look in ALL places with water first.
2. Pool Fences
Install a permanent 4-sided fence with self-locking gates. Ensure that the pool fence is at least 3-5 feet from the pool edge. A 4-sided pool fence can decrease the chances of a water accident by more than 80%, compared to a 3-sided fence.
3. Locks & Alarms
Make sure all doors and windows, especially the ones leading to the pool area, are locked and alarmed. You can turn your home security system’s chime feature on, install stand-alone alarms, and use child safety locks.
4. Survival Swimming Lessons
A moment's inattention does not have to cost a child his life. ISR's Self-Rescue training is an added layer of protection, teaching your child water survival skills in a completely safe environment.
5. CPR
If an emergency happens, it is essential parents and families are prepared. Learn to perform CPR on children and adults and remember to update those skills regularly.