Keeping our kids safe

Whether at home or on vacation, it is always important to keep safety in mind when children are in or near water.

Drowning can happen at any time of year, but be especially cautious during the summer months when drowning incidents can increase up to 89% as compared to the rest of the year.

The home environment has many hidden drowning hazards for children. Drowning deaths can occur not only in pools and spas, but in bathtubs, toilets and buckets. Keep these safety tips in mind to make your home safer from these hidden hazards.

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--Keep doors to bathrooms and laundry rooms closed.

--Large 5-gallon buckets are common household items and may be a potential hazard. 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. According to the CPSC, toilets are overlooked as a source of drowning in the home – toddlers can fall headfirst into the toilet.

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

--Always stay within an arm's reach of your child when he or she is in or near pools, spas, bathtubs, toilets or buckets.

--Never leave your child unattended in a tub or around any other body of water, even if he or she knows how to swim.

--Never leave your child alone or in the care of older children during bath time.

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

--Learn adult and infant CPR.

--One-third as many children under age 5 drown from other hazards around the home as drown in pools (CPSC).

--Two-thirds of drowning deaths in the home, not including pools, occur in bathtubs (CPSC).

--Home swimming pools are the most common place for a child younger than age 5 to drown.

For more information on water safety go to www.safekids.org