MAY 20-26, 2024 IS HEALTHY & SAFE SWIMMING WEEK
CDC WARNS ACCIDENTAL DROWNINGS ON THE RISE IN US.
As the weather heats up and people start to hit the beaches, swimming pools and other waterways this Memorial Day weekend, the Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) is urging people to make water safety a top priority.
A new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that accidental drownings are on the rise for the first time in at least two decades. More than 4,000 people a year become victims of unintentional drowning.
Approximately 15% of U.S. adults – some 40 million people – say they don’t know how to swim. More than half of these people have never taken a swimming lesson, according to a new survey conducted by the CDC. Now if you are an adult and you don’t know how to swim, it’s never too late to get that swim lesson. It’s important.
“What’s concerning is that so many of these deaths can be avoided, said Brian Lippai, OCHD Public Information Officer. “These tragic events are typically quick, silent, and deadly and can occur anytime, anywhere. It can be in the ocean, lakes or rivers, or swimming pools but even your bathtub, a kiddie pool, and hot tubs are all considered drowning danger zones.”
The CDC report also revealed an alarming 30% rise in drowning deaths among children between the ages of 1 and 4 in 2021 and 2022. Drowning has long been the leading cause of death for preschool-age children.
Public health officials encourage kids to start getting swim lessons between the ages of 1 and 4.
Drowning in the United States:
Drowning kills more kids 1‒4 years old than anything else except birth defects.
For children ages 5–14 years, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle crashes.
Every day, about 10 people in the U.S. die from drowning.
While children are at highest risk, anyone can drown.
Nearly 80% of people who die from drowning are male.
Stay safe in and around the water:
Make sure everyone has basic swimming and water safety skills.
Formal swimming lessons for children as young as 1 year old can reduce the risk of drowning.
Use U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets as directed.
Remember that floaties, water wings, inner tubes, foams, and other air-filled devices are TOYS and not safety devices and can often provide a false sense of safety to guardians and swimmers.
Designate a responsible adult to closely and constantly supervise children in or near the water.
Know how to recognize and respond to a swimmer in distress and how to perform CPR.
No matter how strong of a swimmer you are, never swim alone.
Don’t drink and swim. Alcohol slows your reactions and can make you make bad decisions. Stay out of the water if you’ve been drinking.
Help keep backyard pools safe:
Prevent access to water when the pool is not in use.
Install and maintain barriers that fully enclose the pool and separate it from the house, like four-sided fencing.
Use locks and alarms for windows and doors.
Remove all toys from the pool area that might attract children to the pool when not in use.
Natural Waters:
Swim safe! Don’t dive or jump in creeks and ponds you don’t know. Hidden rocks and snags can injure you.
Water’s up? Don’t swim. Rainwater can cause sewer overflows and wash animal waste into rivers, and the germs could make you sick. Stay out a few days.
Be especially careful when swimming with children in natural waters. Murky water and unexpected drop-offs can increase the risk of drowning.
Watch out for riptides and strong currents at the beach, especially after stormy weather.
Don’t swim in rivers with strong currents and near dams. You could get pinned under the water. Choose calm areas to swim.