WaterSmart:LA
People drown without a sound
Teach your kids to swim and learn CPR. Swimming lessons are essential for every child in Los Angeles. In the movies, when people are "acting" like they're drowning, there's a lot of screaming and splashing. But that's not reality. Drowning is nearly silent.
In Los Angeles, it's always swim season
Unlike other parts of the country, we here in L.A. never have to close up our pools or drain our hot tubs or stay away from the beach. We live in the land of endless summer. It’s fantastic. But it’s also dangerous. Everyone who lives in L.A. has year round access to recreational swimming. And that means everyone who lives in L.A. should learn how to swim!
- YMCA – Swim lessons for children and adults
- Los Angeles City Recreation and Parks – Swim lessons designed for kids and their parents, with levels from the very beginning of water safety to advanced swimming techniques
Basic water safety tips
- Learn CPR. Every parent and child care provider should at least know how to perform hands-only CPR for adults, children, and infants. Certified CPR is an even better skillset, if you have the time.
- Supervise! Never, ever, leave children in any body of water without adult “eyes-on” supervision. If there are multiple adults present, assign one to be the “designated watcher,” and then switch off – make certain any “watcher” knows how to swim.
- No alcohol. It’s important that you not drink when supervising children who are swimming.
Swimming pools and spas
Fence the pool. A fence surrounding a pool should be at least four-feet tall, be transparent, and not permit anyone to climb underneath it. Avoid a fence that looks like fun to climb. Make certain you install a self-closing and self-latching gate that opens away from the pool area – and place the latch high or at the top of the fence.
- Alarm the pool. There are alarms that float on the surface and sound when the water is disturbed. Don’t rely on an alarm instead of a fence and supervision. The alarm is the third or forth step, not the only one.
- Toys in the attic. Don’t leave toys in the pool. There are multiple instances of someone drowning and adults were unable to find them due to the number of toys on the surface of the pool.
- Drains are for water. Don’t allow children to sit on a spa or pool drain. Suction could trap them under water.
- Rescue Ready. Always keep emergency equipment handy. that includes a life ring with an attached rope, a reaching pole (shepherd’s crook), and always have a phone handy.
Toilets, buckets, bathtubs
Interesting Fact: A baby can drown in just one-inch of water (2.5 centimeters). A curious infant or baby can fall into a toilet, a bucket of water, or any other body of water they gain access to.
- Close that door! Close the door to the bathroom unless entering or exiting in a home where there is a baby or small child.
- Keep a lid on it. Keep the lid on the toilet down when not in use.
- Supervise the washing. When it’s bath time, never leave a child alone in the bathtub or in the care of another child. Don’t leave the bathroom following a bath without fully draining the tub.
- The bucket list. Store empty buckets and containers that can hold water after use – and never at floor level.
Be a hero. Learn CPR
There is no more effective way of helping someone who has stopped breathing or who’s heart has stopped functioning, than CPR. And it is VERY easy to learn.
- MySafe:LA teaches CPR, the use of an AED, and how to revive not only adults, but children and infants as well. Call 213.634.0100 to learn more.
- American Heart Association – The American Heart Association has CPR classes for individuals, groups, communities for varying levels of interest. This is the organization first responders and healthcare providers use to acquire CPR certification.
- American Red Cross – The American Red Cross has been reaching CPR for as long as there has been CPR. You can also get certified in accompanying skills like First Aid and AEDs.
