Lifeguard Your Child

Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury, with children between the ages 1 to 4 at the highest risk. In drowning incidents, every second counts; it is silent and can happen in an instant.

Prevention tips/ recommendations

Bath time safety

Always ensure an adult stays at the side of the tub, in reach of the child.
Safe proof your home to prevent young children from accessing the bathroom without an adult.
If you have to leave during bath time, wrap your child in a towel and take them with you.

Open water safety

Have a safety plan in place. We recommend a "toe in/vest on" policy, in or out of the boat. If a toe is in the water, a life jacket goes on.
Know the water conditions. Water conditions in lakes and oceans can change on a daily basis. It's important to kow the condition of the water before getting in.
Schedule water safety and swim lessons. Drownings are 8 times more likely to happen to children that don't know how to swim or are being supervised by adults that don't know how to swim.

Pool safety

Insist on adult, non-distracted Water Watchers.

Children drown silently, so designate a Water Watcher to watch children in and around all water.

2. Wear life vest with U.S Coast Guard-approved labels

If your child’s lifejacket doesn’t say “US Coast Guard Approved” or “USCG approved,” you can assume it’s not safe. Always check the label.

3. Take family CPR lessons

Learning CPR can be the difference between life and death while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive.

Water safety club

Loaner life jacket stations

Learn more about our stations

Contact us about our program

For questions or information on drowning prevention and Lifeguard Your Child, contact injury.prevention@cookchildrens.org .

For more information, Visit lifeguardyourchild.org

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