As families head into the summer swimming season, the American Red Cross is reminding the public that May is National Water Safety Month and that drowning remains one of the leading causes of death for young children and people under the age of 30.
According to the Red Cross, drowning incidents are often silent and can happen in less than a minute, even in only a few inches of water. Officials say most people expect splashing or cries for help, but victims are frequently unable to call out during an emergency.
The organization said bystanders are often the first line of defense in water emergencies, with more than 60 percent of rescues occurring before professional help arrives.
“Everyone near water plays a role in keeping people safe,” said Alicia Doherty, Regional Executive for the American Red Cross of Georgia. “Whether it’s a child, a friend or a stranger, you may be the only person in a position to recognize distress and respond.”
The Red Cross encourages families to practice active supervision around pools, lakes and other bodies of water. Safety recommendations include never swimming alone, designating a “water watcher” to closely monitor children and inexperienced swimmers, and using properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
Officials also advise people to “reach or throw, don’t go” during emergencies, meaning rescuers should extend an object or flotation device to someone in trouble rather than entering the water themselves.
The Red Cross is also expanding access to water safety education through its Longfellow’s WHALE Tales Water Safety for Children program, which is now available in Spanish. The free program provides age-appropriate lessons for children in kindergarten through fifth grade and includes educational videos, lesson plans and activity sheets focused on water safety in pools, lakes, rivers and oceans.
Additional information and downloadable resources are available through the American Red Cross website.