An infant or young child can drown in as little as
1 in. (2.5 cm) of water or
other liquid. The following recommendations can help you protect your child
from drowning hazards.1
- Do not leave babies and young children alone in the bathtub or a
swimming or wading pool. If a baby slips or rolls and lands facedown, he or she
may not be able to turn over. Bathing seats or flotation devices may be used,
but they do not protect against drowning and are not a substitute for your
attention.
- Do not leave babies and young children alone around filled buckets,
such as 5-gallon buckets used for cleaning. Empty buckets after each use, and
keep them out of children's reach. Buckets have tall, straight sides, which
makes it very difficult for infants and young children to escape once they have
fallen in.
- Leave toilet lids down. Keep young children out of the bathroom
without your direct supervision. Make sure your toddler knows that the toilet
is not a toy. Toilets are drowning hazards, especially for children younger
than 3. An older baby or young child can fall headfirst into the water and not
be able to climb back out. Consider placing a latch on the bathroom door, out
of reach of young children.
- Empty all liquid containers immediately after use. Make sure all
empty containers are out of reach of young children and babies. Do not leave
them in the yard or around the house. They can accumulate water and become a
drowning hazard.
- Empty ice chests immediately after use, and keep lids closed. Store
out of children's reach.
- Watch children closely outdoors, especially where wells, open
postholes, and irrigation or drainage ditches are nearby. Fill holes and
install fences or other barriers to protect your child. Make sure pools are
fenced off and have covers that lock. Don't let a child out of your sight while
you are doing yard work or other outdoor activities.
Citations
Consumer Product Safety Commission (2007). Prevent
child in-home drowning deaths. Consumer Product Safety Alert. Available online:
http://cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/drown.html.
