Unexpected drowning hazards are always lurking. Often, they can be found right in plain sight. When it comes to drowning safety, most people think of the dangers of the pool or even the ocean. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Unexpected drowning hazards are always lurking. Often, they can be found right in plain sight.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is one of the most common ways for children under the age of four to die. Today, let’s discuss a few unexpected drowning hazards that can put children in harm’s way. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to prevent tragedy.
The Unexpected Drowning Hazards of Kiddie Pools
Due to the pandemic, people have been staying closer to home. For families without access to a swimming pool, a kiddie pool is often a welcome substitute. These small pools are manageable and fun, but they also bring potential danger.
Because the pools are so small, parents and guardians often let kids play without supervision. Unfortunately, that lack of attention is just how kiddie pools become unexpected drowning hazards. It only takes a few inches of water for a person to drown. If the nose and mouth are covered, drowning can happen in a matter of moments.
These pools can be a ton of fun, but they require dedicated active supervision. Just like any body of water, children should not be allowed to play without an adult keeping a close eye on them.
Learn more in our dedicated article about kiddie pool safety.
Watch Out for Thin Ice!
Next, let’s talk about thin ice. The temperature is starting to dip in many parts of the country, so this means the ponds and lakes will begin to freeze soon. When it comes to unexpected drowning hazards, crashing through thin ice into frigid water is a scary thought.
Beyond drowning, that cold water is yet another hazard. Being suddenly submerged in icy water can throw your body into cold water shock. The sudden drop in temperature causes a person to automatically gasp for air. Of course, since the person is now underwater, there’s no air to breathe. This can cascade into even worse problems, like hyperventilating and losing mobility in the limbs. Often, this makes victims feel as though they are suffocating.
In this type of dangerous situation, a person suffering from cold water shock can easily drown. To help prevent problems like this, always play it safe. Heed the guidance of any safety notices and never venture onto ice that you’re not sure about. For more information about cold water shock, read this full post.
Beware of the Bathroom
Finally, let’s turn our attention to some unexpected drowning hazards inside the home. The bathroom, for one place, has at least two potential dangers. These are the bathtub and the toilet.
Bathtub – According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 90 children drown inside the home, and two-thirds of these deaths occur in the bathtub. When bathing a young child, an attentive adult should always be present. Additionally, childproofing your home can prevent children from accessing and turning on the bathtub on their own. It can be a tedious process, but attention to detail can make all the difference in the world. It may even save your child’s life.
Toilets – Whether or not your kids are toilet training yet, toilets can be a serious danger to our curious little ones. If they accidentally tip into a toilet, it is easy to become trapped and drown. Young children may not have the proper strength to pull themselves back out. Above all, toilets should be childproofed to avoid any accidental trouble.
