News Child Drowning Incidents on the Rise

Austin, Texas - (July 7, 2009) - Alarming data from Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas shows an increase in child drowning incidents.

As of July 6, the pediatric emergency department treated 25 children involved in near drowning incidents; four of those 25 children have died. In the same period in 2008, Dell Children's had treated 22 patients; three of those patients died. A total of 36 near drowning incidents occurred in 2008 with 5 out of 36 children dying. The incidents have occurred in swimming pools, small river and bath tubs.

"We are not even half way through the summer and already these numbers have surpassed the numbers at this time last year," said Dr. Pat Crocker, Medical Director of the Emergency Department at Dell Children's. "Drowning and near drowning incidents can be prevented with close supervision. Proper supervision around water is "touch supervision", meaning a parent is close enough to reach out to their child at all times. Parents should avoid distractions, like talking on cell phones or reading, and avoid drinking alcohol while supervising their children around water. At parties, hosts should assign parents to take turns watching the water - never assume that someone else is taking care of it."

Safe Kids Austin, a community coalition for child safety led by Dell Children's, 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 bathtub seats or water wings) can not be relied upon to keep them afloat and alive. Remember, children can drown in as little as 1 inch of water - and it can happen in no time at all. 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.

Teach safety:

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.