A Moment with Marley

National Water Safety Month

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In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are talking about water safety and drowning prevention in honor of National Water Safety Month.

May is National Water Safety Month, and we would like to take this opportunity to raise awareness about drowning prevention and helping families stay safe around water all summer long. We recommend all Meriden residents raise their awareness about water safety and drowning prevention by sharing water safety tips, enrolling in swim lessons, and staying alert around water so everyone can have a fun and safe summer.

Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1 through 4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5 through 14. It can happen quickly and often quietly, often in less than a minute and without splashing or yelling for help. It can happen to anyone, regardless of age or swimming ability. Whether you are swimming indoors at Platt or Maloney High School, outdoors at the pool at Hubbard Park, the beach, or in your own backyard, it is important to keep water safety in mind.

The American Red Cross recommends the following actions to make water safety a priority: Here are a few important tips to reduce the chance of drowning occurring:

  • Never leave children unattended near water. Not even for a moment. Always keep children within arm’s reach near water. Designate a “water watcher”, an adult whose only job is supervising children in or near the water without distractions like cell phones or conversations.
  • Empty kiddie pools and water tables after use. Drowning does not only happen in pools. Lakes, rivers, bathtubs, and even small amounts of standing water can pose risks.
  • Avoid swimming alone.
  • Pay attention to weather conditions before swimming or boating. If on a boat or participating in open-water activities, make sure everyone is wearing a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
  • Teach children basic water rules, like asking permission before going near water. Also, swimming lessons can help children and adults build confidence and essential survival skills. But remember, swimming ability does not replace supervision.
  • In an emergency, CPR can save a life while waiting for first responders. Consider taking a local CPR certification class.

    • If you own a pool, install fencing with self-latching gates to help prevent unsupervised access. This is required in Meriden per Chapter 213 Section 44.

    For more information about water safety, please visit: https://www.poolsafely.gov/  

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    A Moment with MarleyBy Meriden DOH