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Water Safety
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Rural/Metro Fire Department and Knox County Fire Bureau team up for Keeping our Kids Safe in the Summer

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Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death among children ages 1-14. Children can drown in a variety of circumstances-during water recreation (such as swimming and boating) or when a young child is left unsupervised for a short time in the bathtub or around the home with access to nearby pools and hot tubs.

A child can drown in as little as one inch of water, and drowning is usually quick and silent. A child will lose consciousness two minutes after submersion, with irreversible brain damage occurring within four to six minutes.  

Parents and caregivers need to understand the dangers of drowning and know the proper steps to take to protect children.

These statistics are why Rural/Metro Fire Department and Knox County Fire Bureau are reaching out from their normal role of fire prevention and getting involved with protecting our kids from other dangers as well.    

Here are a few rules you can use to keep your summer safe 

  • NEVER leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.
  • While supervising,stay alert and avoid distractions like reading or cell phones.
  • Teach children how to tread water,float and get out of the pool. Infant and toddler water classes promote water safety and play, but they do not replace supervision. Children are ready for swimming lessons at about age 4.
  • Learn CPR
  • Don't rely on water wings or other inflatable toys to keep swimmers safe. Never use them in place of a life jacket.
  • Teach your children to wait for "OK" before getting into water
  • In all types of water, stay within touching distance of your child at all times.
  • Keep gates to the pool area latched.
  • Remove all toys from the pool after use so children aren't tempted to reach for them.
  • Stay away from pool and hot tub drains. Tie up long hair securely to keep it from getting caught in the drain. 

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Always swim with a buddy,never swim alone!