This summer, whether you're spending a day at the pool, the beach, or enjoying a boat ride, water safety should be a top priority for families. Many water-related injuries and drowning incidents are preventable with the right preparation and supervision.
Here are some important swim safety tips and drowning prevention strategies to keep you and your family safe this summer.
Designate a "Water Watcher"
One of the most effective drowning prevention strategies is assigning a dedicated adult to actively supervise children whenever they are in or near the water.
A designated water watcher should put away cell phones, avoid lengthy conversations, and remain within sight of children at all times. It only takes a few seconds of distraction for a drowning emergency to occur. For family gatherings, consider rotating water watcher duties every 15 to 30 minutes to help maintain focus.
“Active supervision remains one of the most important pool and swim safety practices families can follow,” said Michael Ameres, MD, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Emergency Medicine physician. “Drowning can happen quickly and quietly, so staying attentive and within arm’s reach of young children can make all the difference. Even a few seconds of distraction from a child near water can lead to a water emergency.”
Swim Lessons Are Important, but Serve as Only One Layer of Protection
Swim lessons can help children build confidence, strengthen swimming skills and improve water awareness. However, swim lessons alone are not enough to prevent drowning.
Using multiple layers of protection, including swim lessons, adult supervision, properly fitted life jackets, pool fences and gates, and emergency preparedness are best.
Dr. Ameres advises, “Even strong swimmers can experience fatigue, panic, changing water conditions, or unexpected emergencies. That's why supervision remains essential, regardless of a child's swimming ability.”
Know Where to Go for Pediatric and Adult Emergency Care
Although most summer activities are safe and enjoyable, it's important for families to know where to turn if an emergency occurs.
With Emergency Departments in Southampton and East Hampton, emergency care is only minutes away. Stony Brook Southampton Hospital's Emergency Department is recognized as an “Always Ready for Children” facility, meaning it is specially equipped to provide pediatric emergency care for infants, children and adolescents. In addition, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is also a New York State-designated Level III Trauma Center, providing advanced care for traumatic injuries and other medical emergencies.
Whether a child experiences a water-related injury, heat illness, dehydration, fracture, or other summer-related emergency, families can feel confident knowing specialized emergency care is available close to home.”
— Dr. Ameres
Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s Emergency Department is located at 240 Meeting House Lane and the Stony Brook East Hampton Emergency Department is located at 400 Pantigo Place.
Both Emergency Departments in Southampton and East Hampton are open 24/7, 365 days a year, even on holidays, because emergency care never takes a break!
For more information on Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s Emergency Department or Stony Brook East Hampton Emergency Department, visit southampton.stonybrookmedicine.edu/services/emergency-medicine.
Watch the videos below to learn more about water safety.
