Kohl's Water Safety Program
Each year hundreds of Central California students receive drowning prevention education courtesy of the Kohl's Water Safety Program at Children's Hospital. The presentations emphasize being safe around all bodies of water - pools, lakes, canals, etc. The program is designed to help prevent some of those tragedies. The program travels from the North Valley to as far south as Bakersfield.
During the hot summer months children look to have fun and beat the heat by swimming or playing near a body of water such as a pool or lake. While swimming and keeping cool is great fun and exercise for children, it’s important to have water safety knowledge and take the proper precautions. Drownings significantly increase each year around this time.
For more information on water safety, please visit the Water Safety Section of Children’s Hospital Online Health Encyclopedia.
2011 May Day Safety Fair Story
Water Safety Tips
- Maintain constant visual contact with children in or near the water. This includes swimming pools and bathtubs.
- Designate an adult to supervise the water area. The supervising adult should not partake in any distracting activities while watching children.
- Prevent children from having direct access to a swimming pool.
- Store buckets upside down.
- Keep toilet lids shut and use toilet locks if you have an infant or toddler in the house.
- Adults and kids over age 13 should learn CPR.
- Do not use air-filled toys in place of life jackets or life preservers with children. These give a false sense of security and increase the risk of drowning.
Teach children about water safety
- Enroll children in swimming lessons (see Swimming lessons recommendation section below).
- Teach children to always swim with a buddy.
- Never allow children to chew gum or eat while swimming, diving or playing in the water.
What to do in case of an emergency relating to children and water
- Look in the water first if a child is missing.
- Call 9-1-1.
- Administer CPR if necessary.
Swimming lessons recommendation
- Many questions are asked about "WHEN" you should start your child in swimming lessons. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Red Cross have issued the following position statement regarding children and swimming lessons: "Until more clear-cut scientific evidence exists on the effects of infant and toddler aquatic programs, it is recommended that children are generally not developmentally ready for swimming lessons until their fourth birthday."
Water Safety Posters
Please feel free to download these Water Safety Posters and use them to help educate families on how to be safe around water.
Summer Water Safety Tips Flyer
The Water Safety Council of Fresno County, of which Children’s Hospital is a contributing member, has launched a new website to promote water safety. The website provides information about water safety and coordinates efforts to reduce the incidence of drownings and near drownings.
Water Safety Resources
Boat Safe Kids
California Injury Prevention Network
CDC Healthy Swimming/Water Quality Info
CDC Water Safety Information
California Public Health Department Drowning Prevention: Toddler Pool and Spa
California Public Health Department Public Swimming Pool Requirements
California Public Health Department Recreational Health
Central Valley American Red Cross
Drowning Study; Anesthesiology 2009
Eagle Medical Services
Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center
Kids Health
National Drowning Prevention Alliance
Safe Kids Central Valley
Safe Kids Worldwide
Spa Hub - Spa and Pool Safety
Swim America
US Consumer Product Safety Division
Valley Pool Service, Inc.
Virginia Graham Baker Act (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
Water Safety Posters (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
Water Safety Council of Fresno County
Barrett Smades Forrest Drowning Prevention Fund
You can help prevent drowning and near-drowning accidents with your financial support of the Barrett Smades Forrest Drowning Prevention Fund at Children's Hospital. In 1987 while under the care of a baby-sitter, Barrett was permanently injured in a near-drowning pool accident. His care-giver drowned saving him. The incident obviously changed the lives of many people forever. Barrett is now in his 20s and resides in an assisted care living facility. Barrett's mom, Debbie Smades Henes, wanted to help other families prevent tragedies like this and has been a water safety ambassador across the region and nation telling her story so others can avoid a similar accident.
The family set up the Barrett Smades Forrest Drowning Prevention Fund and has raised thousands of dollars over the years to help Children's educate kids and families on the dangers of water. You may give electronically or by calling 559-353-7100. With your help we can save the lives of children throughout the Central Valley.
For more information about the Kohl's Water Safety Program, call Mary Jo Quintero, Prehospital Liaison Nurse in the Emergency Department at Children's Hospital and Water Watchers Coordinator, at (559) 353-8661 or email at: mquintero@childrenscentralcal.org.