With weather heating up and summer vacation in full swing, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department along with the Drowning Prevention Network of San Bernardino wants to remind parents and guardians to keep a watchful eye on their children in and around all types of water.

Officials also warn that pools and lakes are not the only type of water hazard that can leave children vulnerable, as evidenced by no less than 5 submersion incidents since April 23rd, in Fontana, Victorville, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario and Rialto. Direct supervision in and around water is the only way to prevent these incidents from occurring. Children of all ages require constant supervision by a Water Watcher who is an adult who is able to safely rescue any child who might get into trouble in the water. Direct supervision entails the adult doing nothing except monitoring the water area – not talking on the phone, eating or visiting with someone else. This person, who is the Water Watcher, should be designated especially at pool parties where many drownings take place. Remember, drowning is a silent event that happens quickly.

Following are some facts and tips to keep in mind this summer and year-round:*

• Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death among children in two separate age groups: 1-4 and 10-14 years of age.

• Infants and toddlers have disproportionately sized heads and undeveloped neck muscles; this leaves them sometimes unable to keep their face above even the shallowest pool of water.

• If you have a pool, make sure access to the water is child-proof. Inspect all access points for places a small child could gain entry. If your child visits other homes for water play, be sure you have inspected that pool area as well.

• Always stay within an arm’s reach of your child when he or she is in or near the bathtub, toilet, pools, spas or buckets. Never leave your child alone or in the care of older children during bath time.

• Once bath time is over, immediately drain the tub.

• Empty all buckets, containers and wading pools immediately after use. Store them upside-down and out of children’s reach.

• Keep toilet lids closed and use toilet seat locks.

• Never leave your child unattended in a tub or around any other body of water, even if he or she knows how to swim and do not rely upon inflatable devices to keep children afloat.

• Keep doors to bathrooms and laundry rooms closed.

• Children in baby bath seats and rings must be watched every second.

ROD HOOPS, Sheriff-Coroner

San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department