MEDICAL ADVICE
Rising Temps a Reminder of the Importance of Drowning Prevention by DR. JOY JACKSON
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s the hot Florida summer months begin, friends and families make their way to the water to cool off this time of year. Whether it be the backyard pool, a local lake, or the ocean, swimming and boating are two of the most popular summer activities for people living in or visiting Florida. Although these activities can be a fun way to enjoy the summer months, it’s also important to take precautions and practice good safety measures around the water. Drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 through 4. Florida also has the highest rate of child drownings under the age of 5 in the nation. Polk County’s child drowning fatality rate remains higher than the state average with approximately 14 drowning deaths in 2019. In 2020, water safety became a top priority of Polk County when residents saw a 100 percent increase in drowning incidents; Polk County is currently second in the state of Florida for most drowning incidents. With more than 500 lakes in Polk County, our residents spend a significant amount of time in and around the water. Because many are so comfortable near the water, it is easy to develop a false sense of security. It is very important for all Florida residents to be aware of water safety tips to keep a fun family outing safe for everyone. Supervision Drowning is a silent and deadly killer. It can
occur within the small amount of time it takes an adult to check their phone, read a page in a magazine, or run inside for a towel. With the majority of drownings in Polk occurring in residential swimming pools, actively watching children while in the pool is the first line of defense against a drowning accident. Take children with you if the phone should ring or if you should need something from inside the house. Designate one adult to watch the children while they are in the pool; this adult should be 100 percent distractionfree, which means no socializing with other adults, no chores, and no talking/texting on their cell phone. Children should never be in the pool area unaccompanied by an adult. Swimming Lessons The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ages 4 and older learn to swim to prevent drowning. Encourage children, adolescents, and adults to learn to swim. However, remember that swimming lessons are not a substitute for supervision! For information about swimming lessons offered in the Polk County area, visit the Department of Health in Polk County’s website at polk.floridahealth.gov. CPR Certification Learn CPR for youth and adults, especially if you own a pool. It only takes four to six minutes without oxygen to cause lasting brain damage. Valuable life-saving seconds can be lost waiting for EMS to arrive before
beginning CPR. In the case of an emergency, it is critical to have a phone nearby to dial 911. Reaching or throwing aids should also be readily available around the pool. Barriers Having a barrier between the house and pool could help to reduce the instances of drowning accidents by 50 to 80 percent. Examples of barriers include child-proof locks on all doors, a four-sided fence (at least 5 feet tall) separating the pool from the house, gates with self-latching/self-closing mechanisms, and door alarms. Boating Safety When boating, make sure that all passengers are fitted with appropriately-sized life jackets. Obey all signs while on the water and keep a close eye out for other boaters and swimmers. In addition to this, remember that drinking alcohol while boating will impair one’s judgment and reaction times. Drinking while boating is considered drinking and driving. Swimming can be a great way to enjoy Florida’s natural scenery and escape the summer heat. It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our children, and of ourselves, when in and around the water. For more information related to drowning prevention and resources, visit polk.floridahealth.gov or waterprooffl.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Joy Jackson, an internal medicine physician, serves the community as director of the Florida department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk). For more information about DOH-Polk, visit mypolkhealth.org. Follow DOH-Polk on Twitter at twitter.com/FLHealthPolk.
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