News Safe Kids Austin Responds to Significant Increase in Near Drowning Incidents, Offers Strategies for Prevention

Austin, Texas - (July 1, 2008) - Summer is in full swing, and for the medical staff at Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas that means an increase in injured patients.

Accidental injury is the leading killer of children from 1 and 14 years of age. The leading causes of injury-related death are motor vehicle collisions, drowning, pedestrian injuries and bicycle injuries. Drowning has taken the lead in Central Texas this summer, alarming the medical staff at Dell Children's.

Since May 1st of this year, Dell Children's Emergency Department has treated 20 patients with drowning-related injuries; sadly, three of those patients died as a result. That's more than three times the number treated in each of the last two years. "This is an alarming number of drowning incidents in a short period of time," says Dr. Todd Maxson, Medical Director of Trauma Services. "Although many children can survive a near-drowning, many will live with significant damage to the brain as a result of oxygen deprivation."

For Dr. Maxson, treating the injuries is less difficult than having to deliver bad news to families. He says it is especially sad, because "the majority of these incidents are entirely preventable." Dr. Maxson tells us "one of the most effective drowning prevention strategies is close supervision, also known 'touch supervision', meaning a parent is close enough to reach their children should they slip underwater."

Safe Kids Austin, a community coalition for child safety led by Dell Children's, is launching a new public safety announcement on water safety to remind Central Texas families to keep their eyes on their children and avoid distractions.

Children can drown in as little as 1 inch of water and it can happen silently, in only a few short moments," says Tareka Wheeler, Coordinator of Safe Kids Austin. "When supervising children parents should avoid distractions that take their attention away from the water, such as talking on the phone or with a group friends, drinking alcohol, or reading." In addition,Wheeler suggests "parties or group swimming events should have a designated 'water watcher', a parent who takes a turn removing themselves from the social event to watch the pool carefully."

Safe Kids Austin suggests these tips for water safety this summer:

• A child should never be unsupervised in or near water, even shallow wading pools. Devices (such as water wings) cannot be relied upon to keep them afloat or alive.
  
• Children should learn to swim. Enroll them in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors when they are ready, usually after age 4. If you don't know how to swim, enroll with your kids!
  
• Adults and kids over age 13 should learn infant and child CPR.
  
• Know which of your child's friends and neighbors have pools. Make sure your child will be supervised by an adult while visiting.
  
• Install four-sided isolation fencing at least 5 feet high, equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates, around home swimming pools.
  
• Keep rescue equipment, a telephone and emergency numbers by the pool.
  
• Pool alarms and pool covers can offer an extra layer of protection. However, do not rely on them to keep your kids safe; they should be used in conjunction with fencing and constant supervision.

Swimming lessons are an important step, but they do not make a child "drown-proof." Children need to learn other water safety lessons, including:

• Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal safety device around oceans, rivers, lakes or when participating in water sports.
  
• Always swim with a buddy. Swimming alone is very dangerous.
  
• Know how to use rescue equipment and where emergency phone numbers are located.