Know the water
- At this time of year, rivers are high and swift from spring run off and
the water is very cold. Cold and swift water easily overwhelms even the
strongest swimmers. Kayakers and canoeists also need to be prepared for
swift water.
- Lakes and ponds are cold, too, and very attractive on warm spring days.
Use caution and common sense when young children are playing near water.
- Assign water watchers to supervise children around water.
Know your limits
- Swimming in open water is more difficult than swimming in a pool -
people tire more quickly and can get into trouble.
- Stay sober when in the water – alcohol affects the intensity of weather,
water and wave action.
- Swim in an area with a lifeguard, especially if you are not a strong
swimmer. When boating, don’t overload the boat. Many people drown by falling
overboard when fishing or pulling up a crab pot, so wear a life jacket when
in small boats.
Wear a life jacket
- Even the best swimmers can misjudge the water and their skills when
boating or swimming; conditions change quickly in open water. Be prepared by
wearing a life jacket at all times. If you go overboard, you won’t have time
to find and put one on once you are in the water.
- Small children can easily wear a life jacket when playing by the water.
This does not preclude supervision, but helps provide a layer of protection.
A number of water safety laws and regulations have been enacted and issued to
improve the use of personal flotation devices (PFDs) and increase awareness of
potential drowning hazards:
- Washington is one of at least 38 states that require children to wear
PFDs in boats. Specifically, children 12 years old and under are required to
wear PFDs when on boats less than 19 feet in length that are moving.
- Recreational boats must carry one
U.S. Coast Guard-approved
PFD in good condition for each person aboard. These properly sized PFDs must
be available, serviceable and accessible. This is a nationwide Coast Guard
rule.
Be prepared
- Check high water reports by contacting the United States Geological
Survey: 253-428-3600 ext. 2635.
- Take life jackets, a rescue device, a cell phone and someone who knows
CPR when you are out on the water.
- Parents need to talk with their children about the dangers of rivers and
lakes, and need to know where they are, who they are with, and when they are
expected home.
- Parents are also powerful role models. If they wear life jackets, it’s
more likely their children will, too.
Learn more about water safety. To receive a free copy of the new edition of
Parent's Guide to Water Safety, call Children's Hospital's Resource Line at
206-526-2500 or 1-877-526-2500 and select option 4, or
Kathy Williams, Washington State
Department of Health Injury Prevention Specialist 360-236-2862. Additional
Water Safety information from the Department of Health:
Documents posted in .pdf version on the Department of Health Web site
will be made available in an alternative format on request to users who
are unable to download or view .pdf files on the Web.
To request an alternative
format, contact: Webmaster. |
