Children who ride on streets are eight times more likely to be injured than those riding on bicycle paths. What better way to cool off from scorching summer temperatures than by taking a dip in the pool or a swim at the beach. But without adult supervision and by not following basic safety rules, fun in the water can turn into a disaster for a child. Drowning takes the lives of more than 1,000 children ages 14 and under each year, ranking as the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death to children in this age group. For every child that drowns, an additional four are hospitalized for near-drownings.
Young children are more vulnerable to potential hazards of swimming pools.
Children ages 4 and under have the highest drowning death rate, a rate two to three times higher than other age groups, and account for more than 40 percent of home drownings. If water plays a role in your family's summertime activities, the Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition suggests the following tips to make sure water activities remain safe. Never leave children alone in or near water. Parents and caregivers should always watch while children are playing in or near water, even in shallow wading pools. Children should learn to swim.