(HealthDay News) — For children aged 4 and older, one of the best ways to help prevent drowning is to teach them to swim.
The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions to help keep kids safe near water:
- Starting at about age 4, take your children to swimming lessons.
- For children younger than age 4, talk to a pediatrician who knows your child about whether swimming lessons are safe and a good idea.
- Always supervise children when they’re near any water — including the bathtub.
- When your child is swimming, make sure he or she wears an approved life vest. Choose one for young children that fits properly and offers support around the head and a strap between the legs.
- Don’t trust an inflatable vest or arm “floaties” to protect your child from drowning.