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The 3 P’s for Water Safety!

June 30, 2017

We all know that kids love water, from the beautiful beaches here in Palm Beach, to our own bathtub and pools. Water can be great fun for kids specially in summer, and, is a place where safety must always come first. Lets remember safety water tips with the 3 P’s Guide by focusing in how to prepare, protect and prevent.

Preparing in advance helps ensure that you pack and have everything you need to make it a great water day. It includes an assessment of needs like sun protection, clothing, hydration, and safety flotation devices.

• It is recommended to avoid sun exposure for babies under 6 months to prevent sunburn, and, to dress them in lightweight long pants, long sleeved shirts and brimmed hats. If adequate clothing is not available, you can apply minimal sunscreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas.
• If your child has experienced any allergic reaction after sunscreen is applied, his skin may be too sensitive to some active ingredients like PABA, oxybenzone, 4-isopropyl-dibenzoylmethane and cinnamates. In these cases, physical sunscreen such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide may be suitable.
• Stress the importance of staying hydrated and create the habit of drinking plenty of non-carbonated, sugar-free, fluids throughout the day. Children shouldn’t wait until they feel thirsty to drink water.
• Make sure your child knows never to dive into water without an adult checking first the depth of the water and for underwater objects.
• Swim lessons are highly recommended for kids. You can start getting children acquainted with water at six months of age. As an adult, learning CPR is great too.
• Blow-up “floaties”, toys, rafts and air mattress should never be used as life jackets or life preservers. Make sure your child uses a life jacket that is the right size and is approved by the US Coast Guard and tested by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Protection of your loves ones involve safety measurements during the activity to avoid preventable injuries.

• Always supervise children in and around water. Whenever children are in water, an adult should be less than an arm’s length away. This includes kids close to a bathtub, pool, spa or any other open standing water. You can designate an adult “Water Watcher” for a specific period of time.
• Get rid of all distractions. Many accidents happen while parents are distracted by talking on the phone, socializing, drinking alcohol, tending household chores, etc.
• Do not use a pool or spa if there are broken or missing drain covers to avoid suction and entrapment under water.
• Provide your children with an approved personal flotation device whenever riding in a boat, fishing or near a body of water.
• Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and after sweating or swimming.
• Keep a telephone, rope or shepherd’s hook poolside in case of an emergency.

Prevention While taking preventive measures, you are protecting your children and the children in our community.

• You and your kids should shower before getting in the pool; this removes most of the dirt on your body that uses up pool chemicals.
• If you’re at the pool for the day, build in a break for kids at least every hour. Take that time to go to the bathroom and change diapers and teach your kids never to pee or poop in the water. Don’t change diapers near the poolside as this poses a risk to spread germs.
• Keep your kids out of the water if they are sick (diarrhea, runny nose, cough or pink eye). Remember, we share the water –and the germs in it- with everyone.
• If you have a pool at your home, it should be surrounded by a fence that prevents direct access to it from the house, be at least 4 feet tall, with no more than 4 inches between vertical slats, so kids can’t squeeze through. Also, it should have a gate that is well maintained, self-closing and self-latching.

A little planning goes a long way helping ensure that your family will have a safe and enjoyable experience. If you have questions or concerns about the correct approach for Water Safety, talk to your Pediatrician.

Dr. Mediana is a Board Certified Pediatrician and an active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Palm Beach Pediatric Society. Her office, SuperKids Pediatrics, is located in Palm Beach Gardens. Call 561-619-2460 or visit www.skpediatrics.com for more information.

Check out Dr Medina’s 3 P’s Article for water safety tips featured on Page 8 of PB Parenting, June’s issue! Safety must always come first! Enjoy and share with friends and family to spread the word out!

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