This summer, The Cleburne Fire Department is encouraging residents to prevent childhood drowning by lifeguarding their children.
Cleburne Fire joined fire departments across Johnson County to recognize May 2019 as Lifeguard Your Child Month. The County urges all citizens “to support the efforts to prevent further needless child deaths from drowning.”
Texas is the leading state when it comes to childhood pool drownings. Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children ages 14-and-under. By partnering with Safe Kids North Texas and Cook Children’s, the Fire Department wants to make sure water fun remains fun and that parents and adults do their part to prevent drownings from happening.
Bath Time Safety
The most common time a child is in the water is for their bath. Even an inch of water is enough to cover a child’s nose and mouth.
- Always have an attentive adult in reach of the child
- Ignore distractions
- Have bath supplies within reach so you don’t have to leave the tub
- Never leave your child alone in the bath
- Drain the tub immediately after a bath
Pool Safety
A pool can be a great way to spend a hot summer day. Make sure you and your family are prepared by following these safety tips.
- Install fencing with self-latching gates
- Create pool rules that enforce safety, including adult supervision
- Have a Water Watch, an assigned adult who will watch children in the pool without distractions for a 10-15 minute shift
- Wear life vests with U.S. Coast Guard-approved labels
- Take family CPR lessons
- Take swim lessons
Open Water Safety
Who doesn’t love jumping into open water like Lake Pat Cleburne. Make sure to follow these safety tips before your next visit to a lake or the beach.
- Have a safety plan like a “toe in/vest on” policy that says children must have a life jacket on before even a toe goes in the water
- Know water conditions
- Wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vests
- Have a non-distracted adult Water Watcher, an assigned adult who will watch children in the pool without distractions for a 10-15 minute shift