PHOENIX — Safety experts in the Valley are working to make sure parents and children are ready for summer swimming season as the temperatures climb into the triple digits.
The Phoenix Fire Department has begun working with Chicanos Por La Causa to remind parents that a small child can drown in as little as two inches of water.
Parents may be surprised to learn that their child's swimwear color can impact rescue efforts, according to Crispin Chavira with the Phoenix Fire Department.
"There are colors you want to avoid. Colors like dark blue, green. Those colors camouflage into the water. It's important when you're getting ready to go to the lake or pool to dress your kids with orange, reds, yellow that are easy to spot in case there is an emergency," Crispin explained.
In addition to making sure children are visible in the water, experts recommend parents learn CPR.
Other reminders to stay cool as temperatures rise include wearing loose-fitting clothing and staying hydrated.
Water Safety
Drowning Prevention Tips:
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between ages 1-4 aside from birth defects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three children die every day as a result of drowning. Here are some tips from the CDC on how to protect children around water:
Learn life-saving skills.
Everyone should know the basics of swimming (floating, moving through the water) and CPR.
Fence it off.
Install a four–sided isolation fence, with self–closing and self–latching gates, around backyard swimming pools. This can help keep children away from the area when they aren’t supposed to be swimming. Pool fences should be completely separate the house and play area from the pool.
Life jackets are a must.
Make sure kids wear life jackets in and around natural bodies of water, such as lakes or the ocean, even if they know how to swim. Life jackets can be used in and around pools for weaker swimmers too.
Keep a close watch
When kids are in or near water (including bathtubs), closely supervise them at all times. Because drowning happens quickly and quietly, adults watching kids in or near water should avoid distracting activities like reading books, talking on the phone, or using alcohol and drugs.