(Mason City) – Governor Branstad has recognized June 17 – 23, 2013 as Drowning Prevention Week. This week is geared to help educate Iowa residents of the importance of safe swimming and learn tips to prevent drownings.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about ten people die each day from unintentional drowning; additionally, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury for children between the ages of 1 and 5.
“The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health works very closely with area swimming pools and spas to encourage safety and the importance of drowning prevention,” said Dan Ries, Senior Environmental Health Specialist, Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health.
The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health would like to encourage county residents to follow the tips and strategies below to ensure safe swimming this summer:
- An adult parent or caregiver should always be within arm’s reach of their child whenever they are in or around water. Always designate a responsible adult who can swim and knows CPR to watch other swimmers in or around the water, even if they are at a life-guard attended facility.
- Formal swimming lessons have been shown to reduce the risk of drowning in children between the ages of 1 and 4, and provide essential skills to swimmers of all ages.
- Properly constructed barriers, including four-sided non-climbable isolation fencing and lockable gates can prevent or delay a child’s unsupervised access to swimming pools and reduce the risk of drowning.
- The use of properly-fitted Coast Guard-approved lifejackets by all boaters and by non-swimmers whenever in or around the water reduces their risk of drowning. In 2011, 70 percent of all people killed in boating incidents drowned and of those, 84 percent were not wearing a lifejacket.
- CPR performed by bystanders has been shown to save lives and improve outcomes of drowning victims.
- Don’t hold your breath too long. Trying to hold your breath underwater for long periods of time may cause the swimmer to pass out (called shallow water blackout) and may be a contributing factor in a significant number of drowning incidents.
- Avoid alcohol use while swimming or supervising children. Alcohol use is a contributing factor in an estimated 30 to 70 percent of adolescent and adult drowning incidents.
For more information about drowning and drowning prevention, please call 641-421-9338 or visit our website at www.cghealth.com.
