Latest news with #drowningPrevention
The Independent
a day ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Warning over dangers of rivers, lakes and waterways as temperatures soar
Warnings are being issued over the risks surrounding rivers, lakes and waterways as temperatures are set to reach heatwave levels in parts of the country. Temperatures are rising this week and are forecast to peak at 33C on Saturday. London Fire Brigade (LFB) has attended more than 280 water-related incidents this year so far, an increase of about 15% compared with the same period in 2024, it said. They have included incidents such as sinking and capsized boats, individuals trapped in mud or caught by the tide, and people and animals in distress in the water. Fifteen incidents resulted in people drowning in London, the fire brigade said. As part of a national push during Drowning Prevention Week, LFB is increasing engagement with communities to raise awareness of water safety risks. During a visit to Kingston Fire Station, Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey met local firefighters and observed a live demonstration of the brigade's river flume tank. The tank includes a hydraulic flume with a range of features such as bridges, rocks and weirs to demonstrate how water behaves in rivers. Since its introduction at Twickenham Fire Station last year, the tank has been used across London to show schools, youth groups, communities and stakeholders how even experienced swimmers can quickly get into difficulty in open water. Pam Oparaocha, assistant commissioner for prevention and protection, said: 'We're working closely with MPs, schools and local communities to help people understand the serious water safety risks as summer approaches. 'With warm weather and school holidays on the horizon, we want people, especially young people, to enjoy our waterways safely, and that starts with education. 'Strong currents, underwater hazards and cold water shock can be deadly. It's important to know the risks and to familiarise yourself with lifesaving equipment like throwlines, which are available along many of London's waterways. There's a wealth of guidance on our website to help people stay safe this summer.' Jules Pipe, deputy mayor for the fire service, said: 'London's rivers, lakes and waterways can look very appealing when the temperatures rise, however, they can contain hidden dangers. 'The mayor and I are working to improve the capital's waterways for everyone to enjoy, and I urge everyone to heed London Fire Brigade's advice to stay safe in and around water. 'As the hot weather continues and with the summer holidays looming, this timely work with young people will help save lives and build a safer London for everyone.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
YMCA of the USA Launches Phones Down, Eyes Up™ Giveaway to Promote Water Safety this Summer
Monthly swag bag drawings and features on national social media channels will reward families who take the pledge to be undistracted Water Watchers. CHICAGO, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As part of its new national water safety campaign, Phones Down, Eyes Up™, YMCA of the USA (Y-USA), the national resource office for the 2,600+ YMCAs across the country, is excited to announce a summer-long giveaway to encourage families to take the campaign's Water Watcher pledge and stay focused when supervising children around water. Launched in conjunction with National Water Safety Month in May, the campaign aims to reduce distractions and increase awareness around the dangers of inattentive supervision at pools, lakes, and other bodies of water. According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, 88% of child drownings occur with at least one adult present. The Phones Down, Eyes Up message is simple: put down your phone and keep your eyes on the water. To encourage participation in this life-saving action, the YMCA will hold drawings in July and August, giving away YMCA swag bags to lucky participants who take the Phones Down, Eyes Up pledge. Each pledge-taker will be automatically entered into that month's giveaway. 'This campaign is about being fully present and attentive,' said Lindsay Mondick, Director of Aquatic Safety Strategy and Quality Practices at Y-USA. 'We know drowning can happen silently and in under 30 seconds. When a parent or caregiver is distracted, even by something as quick as checking a text, the results can be tragic. This giveaway is a fun way to remind people of the serious responsibility we all have to keep kids safe around water.' In addition to the giveaways, each winner will be featured on YMCA social media channels, helping amplify the message and hopefully inspiring others to make the same commitment. Families who take the pledge at also receive valuable water safety resources, including digital reminders, downloadable Water Watcher lanyards, and monthly tips to keep loved ones safe this summer. 'We hope this giveaway sparks conversations and creates habits that save lives,' said Mondick. 'Water safety is a shared responsibility, and we're proud to support families in making simple changes that can make all the difference.' To learn more, take the pledge, and enter the drawing, visit About the YDriven by its founding mission, the Y has served as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community for more than 175 years. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they're from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y's goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across 10,000 communities nationwide. Learn more at Contact:YMCA of the USA312-419-8418 media@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
When Thinking About Water Safety, Consider Your Kid's Swimsuit Color
Summer means families are more spending time in and around the water: Pool parties, beach days and boat rides are all more common this time of year. As temperatures heat up, brushing up on water safety is crucial for everyone, but particularly for parents of young kids. According to the CDC, drowning is the second leading cause of death for kids ages 1 to 4. In addition to educating yourself on drowning prevention (more on that below), there's a little-known factor to consider when taking your kids swimming this summer — the color of their bathing suits. Alive Solutions, a company specializing in water safety, conducted an informal study in 2020 to test how visible different colored swimsuits would be in light-bottomed pools, dark-bottomed pools and lakes. For the pools, they tested what the suits looked like underwater (top row) and then again with some surface agitation (bottom row) from the perspective of a person standing on the pool deck. For the lake, the company tested the different swimsuit colors on the surface of the water (top row), from a shore view (middle row) and from an elevated view (bottom row) to simulate what it would look if the parent were standing on a boat or a dock. The water was only 18 inches deep. 'We do drowning investigations and know that visibility is important in drowning recognition,'Natalie Livingston, co-founder of Alive Solutions, told HuffPost. 'As lifeguards and aquatics professionals, we know that there are certain factors that can make someone easier or more challenging to see in the water.' 'Knowing this as our background, we started to look at swimwear for our kids and realized that so many parents were selecting swimwear that was super cute and fashionable, but would cause their children to potentially disappear under the water,' she said. Neon colors that provide contrast performed the best in both pools and lakes. For light-bottomed pools, neon pink and neon orange stood out the most, while white and light blue suits stood out the least. Dark colors like purple and black could be seen well but are not recommended, as they could be mistaken for dirt, leaves or a shadow. For lakes and dark-bottomed pools, neon orange, neon green and neon yellow were the most visible. Notably, neon pink did not perform well in the lake setting. White was visible in that environment but could easily be confused for light reflection on the surface of the water, so it isn't recommended. 'The goal was really to show others how to stay more visible and also how water is challenging to look through. It is not like looking through air,' Livingston said. 'Overall, neons came out in the lead in all categories.' It's also worth noting that in the lake setting, at two feet of depth, visibility went down to zero for all the colors tested — a good reminder about the importance of wearing life jackets in open-water environments since they keep swimmers at the surface. (Note: Unlike life vests, water wings, tubes, baby circles and other inflatables are not considered safety devices.) Kids ages 5 and under should also wear life jackets in pools if they're not protected by 'touch supervision,' which means a caregiver is 'within an arm's reach of the child at all times,' according to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. The color of your child's bathing suit is of little importance if other safety measures aren't being taken. Mario Vittone, a former Coast Guard rescue swimmer and drowning expert, said that considering the visibility of swimsuit colors in pools is 'not a bad idea' and that avoiding white and blue ones is a good call. But he wouldn't go so far as to say neon-colored suits are 'safer.' 'If the color of the suit comes into play, then the drowning has probably already occurred. Being able to easily spot the kid laying on the bottom is good, but it is significantly less good than never letting them get to the bottom in the first place,' Vittone told HuffPost. 'A child in a light blue bathing suit that has had swim lessons and is swimming in a well-guarded pool is an order of magnitude safer than a child in a hot neon yellow suit who hasn't had swim lessons in a pool guarded by one lifeguard who never takes breaks.' Indeed, getting your child swim lessons at a young age can reduce their risk of drowning. Make sure you have a good understanding of your child's swimming abilities — and your own skill level, too. But as the American Academy of Pediatrics noted, 'even advanced swimming skills will not always prevent drowning' and 'swimming lessons must be considered only within the context of multilayered protection.' Constant, careful, undistracted adult supervision is absolutely essential when kids are in and around the water. Drowning happens very quickly — sometimes in a matter of seconds — so even looking away to quickly check your phone or grab a snack can be dangerous. 'Watch — with your eyes — the children in the water, the entire time they are in the water,' Vittone said, while also recommending that adults watch any lifeguards present for about 15 minutes to determine how attentive they're being. Having an adult act as the designated 'water watcher' is a good idea, too. Just be sure to switch off who's on duty every 15 minutes or so to give each other breaks and to stay sharp. 'When everybody is watching, nobody is watching,' pediatrician and former lifeguard Dr. Sarah Denny recently told HuffPost. 'We see this all the time: A whole group of adults [is] around and a child drowns, and it's not anyone's fault, but it's just [that] everyone assumes everyone else is watching.' Drowning can be difficult to recognize, so it's important to know what to look for. It doesn't look like the thrashing, splashing, yelling-for-help depictions that you've seen in movies. As Vittone wrote in a viral post on his website, it's 'almost always a deceptively quiet event.' 'Children playing in the water make noise. When they get quiet, you get to them and find out why,' he wrote. Look for signs like the child's head tilted back and low in the water with their mouth open at water level. Other signs include gasping for air, hair covering their face, and eyes that are open, glassy and empty or tightly shut. The swimmer may also look like they're trying to climb an invisible ladder. Another important precaution: Add barriers like a four-sided fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate around a pool or hot tub to restrict access. 'If your home represents the fourth side of the pool, make sure you have a door alarm, so you're alerted if your child leaves the home,' Consumer Product Safety Commission spokesperson Nikki Fleming previously told HuffPost. 'In addition, you can also use a pool alarm that will signal an alarm if the child were to actually enter the water.' Learning CPR can be another life-saving tool to add to your arsenal. When dealing with a drowning victim, experts recommend you start by giving rescue breaths. 'It is not normal, layperson, compression-only CPR,' Livingston said. 'Drowning care first starts with air — time without oxygen is critical in the outcome, so giving breaths first is so important.' You can find trainings in your community or online via the Red Cross and other organizations. Need help finding a colorful suit? The perfect guide is below. HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change. Target The soft and stretch ribbed fabric of this one-piece offers UPF 50+ sun protection that can block up to 98% of harmful rays, and features a knotted cut-out detail on both the front and back of the suit. It's available in girl's sizes XS-XL. $17 at Target Target This vibrant lime green set (pieces sold separately) includes a soft stretch rash guard and a pair of striped mid-rise swim trunks, both with UPF 50+ sun protection. The trunks, which feature both pockets and an elastic drawstring waist, are available in boy's sizes XS-XL and the rash guard is available in XS-XL as well as husky sizes M-KL. Rash guard: $15 at Target Swim trunks: $13 at Target Nordstrom Featuring a bright hibiscus print, this one-piece rash guard is available in sizes 0-24 months. It offers UPF 50+ sun protection and features a zip-up neck as well as a button-closure inseam to make getting your little one in and out easier. $52 at Nordstrom Target Available in both regular (XS-XL) and husky sizing (M-XL) these mid-rise swim trunks feature a functional drawstring waistband, built-in briefs and a back pocket. The quick-dry soft fabric blend also offers UPF 50+ sun protection. $13 at Target Amazon This short-sleeve rash guard is an Amazon bestseller and fits like a comfortable T-shirt. It promises UPF 50+ sun protection, is machine-washable and available in toddler sizes 2-5 and regular boys' sizes 6-16. If orange isn't doing it for you, this swim shirt comes in other high-visibility options including electric yellow and lime. $13.09+ at Amazon Old Navy These bright orange swim trunks (also available in neon yellow) from Old Navy are made for babies 12-24 months and toddlers 2-5 years old. They have UPF 50+ sun protection, built-in mesh briefs and a smooth quick-drying shell. $11 at Old Navy The Children's Place Made from a recycled polyester twill shell and mesh lining, these electric yellow swim shorts are available in sizes for babies 6-24 months and toddlers 2-5 years old. They promise UPF 50+ sun protection and have side vents at the hem. $8.97 at The Children's Place Nordstrom Boasting a delightful tangerine shade and a smock-textured material, this one-piece in girl's sizes 8-14 features a sweet off-the-shoulder design and built-in UPF 50+ sun protection. $52 at Nordstrom Amazon This two-piece features an adorable flounce top with a criss-cross back and pom poms along the hem. It's available in girl's sizes for 5-12 years of age. Reviewers say this runs small and recommended going up in size. $16.99 at Amazon Nordstrom Designed by Stella Cove, a girl's beachwear brand, this lime green two-piece features a puff-sleeve crop top and mid-rise bikini briefs. It's available in sizes for kids 8-16 years old, and the brand recommends sizing up. $48 at Nordstrom (originally $60) Gap This three-piece set from Gap is made with a soft ribbed-knit material with UPF 50+ protection and comes in girl's sizes 4-16. The swim top has adjustable spaghetti straps and the mock-neck rash guard features a twist hem detail. $45 at The Gap Nordstrom Perfect for tweens, these lined board shorts by Vans come in boy's sizes 8-12 and feature a shorter hemline and handy pockets. The cotton and nylon shell is also quick-drying. $40 at Nordstrom Amazon This protective quick-dry rash guard for girls is made with a moisture-wicking four-way stretch material that also features built-in UPF 50+ sun protection. There's also a board-connector loop along the shirt's hemline, making this a perfect option for swimming. It's available in kid's sizes 6-16. $23.98 at Amazon Nordstrom Featuring a sweet flutter neckline, adjustable tie-back straps and vivid orange color, this one-piece comes in toddler sizes 1-2 years and kid's sizes 4-10 years of age. $125 at Nordstrom Nordstrom This highlighter-yellow one-piece is designed with a cut-out midriff and embossed patterns. It's available in kid's sizes 7-16. $46 at Nordstrom Drowning Doesn't Look Like Drowning On TV. There Are Subtle Signs To Watch For. My 6-Year-Old Son Drowned In Our Pool. Here's What I Wish I Had Known To Keep Him Safe. Childhood Drownings Are Up. Here's How Parents Can Keep Kids Safe.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
School's out. Here's how to keep your kids safe this summer and prevent accidents
Summer is a time for celebration and fun for many. Children are off from school, families enjoy cookouts and vacations, and there is plenty of fun at beaches, lakes and area pools. But it's also a time when children can be at greater risk due to more time in the sun, greater access to pools and lakes, increased outdoor playtime and more. Some are also home alone more. Summer heat and outdoor play can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, especially for children since their bodies can't cool down as quickly as adults, according to specialists from John's Hopkins All Children's Hospital and Johns Hopkins Children's Center. 'Make sure children always have a filled water bottle with them,' says Brandon Smith, associate medical director of the Harriet Lane Clinic at Johns Hopkins Children's Center, on their website. 'Allow your child to choose a fun water bottle and/or straw, and stick to water — not soda or juice.' The New Jersey Department of Children and Families has a list of summer safety tips: Drowning is one of the leading causes of child deaths annually. According to the American Red Cross, a staggering 4,000 children drown every year on average. That's 11 deaths per day. Here's how you can keep your child safe. Never leave children swimming unattended. Drowning can occur in an inch or two of water. Stay within an arm's length of small children in water to protect against rapid drowning. Warn children to never swim at a pool or beach alone or without a lifeguard. Train children to swim at an early age. Teach children that swimming in a pool is far different than swimming in open water. Be certain only qualified and undistracted adults are entrusted with supervising children in water. Empty inflatable pools, buckets, pails and bathtubs after each use. Personal floatation devices do not guarantee water safety. The temperature inside a car can get dangerously hot, even in moderate weather with the windows slightly down. These car safety tips can help prevent tragic accidents. Always lock your car and secure the keys so that your kids can't get to them. Warn your children about playing in and around cars. Install a trunk release mechanism so that children can't get trapped in the trunk. Get your kids out of the car first, and then unload items out of the car. Have kids wear a properly fitted helmet when riding a bike, skateboard, scooter or rollerblading. Keep a shock-absorbing surface under and around home playground equipment and always supervise kids on play equipment. Use caution with outdoor grills, especially when children are present. Install window guards to prevent children from falling out of windows. Install in any room where young children spend time. Never depend on screens to keep children from falling out of windows. Limit sun exposure for kids and infants. Apply sunscreen, even on cloudy days, and reapply every two hours, or after swimming. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Kids are out of school for the summer. Here are ways to keep them safe
CTV News
04-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘Seat belts off. Windows open': Demonstration shows simple steps to get out safely if your car enters the water
A car is seen in the water after being driven in as part of a demonstration to show how to get out quickly and safely on June 4, 2025. (Scott Andersson/CTV News Winnipeg) Water safety experts are wanting to get the word out about what to do if your vehicle ends up in a body of water. Several organizations came together Wednesday to perform a water demonstration and show how to get out of your vehicle quickly and safely. 'All you need is, basically, your brain to tell your finger to press the red button on your seat belt and then to press the button to open your window,' said Gordon Giesbrecht, a vehicle submersion expert. Giesbrecht, who performed the demonstration, said there are misconceptions about what happens to a vehicle when it hits the water, the most common being the windows won't work because the water has short-circuited the electrical system. He said that isn't the case. During his demo, Giesbrecht was able to take his seatbelt off, roll down the window and crawl out in around 10 to 15 seconds. If someone were to ever find themselves in this situation, he said there is a simple acronym that people can remember to ensure they get out quickly—SWOC. 'Seat belts off. Windows open. Out immediately. Children first.' The key is to get out of the vehicle within the first minute. If people stay calm, he said that can be plenty of time for them to think through what they must do and get out. He said around 400 people die from drowning in their vehicle every year in Canada and the United States. Giesbrecht wants SWOC to become the new safety slogan that everyone remembers, saying everyone knows what to do if their clothes catch fire—stop, drop and roll. 'I did a study on this a while ago, and more people are in the water in a car than ever have their clothes on fire,' he said. 'If everybody knew it and could remember it, the number of drownings in cars would decrease from 400 probably to 100.' Those 100 drownings would be because of additional injuries suffered when the vehicle hits the water, Giesbrecht said. But the majority are unhurt when driving into a body of water, and they have the ability to get out, he said. Denise Johnson's daughter, Brittany, died last year after her vehicle entered a pond in Molson, Man. Johnson believes her daughter would still be alive if she knew what to do once she was in the water. 'It was 1:30 in the afternoon. Maybe she panicked; maybe she didn't know that information,' said Johnson. She is encouraging everyone to learn what needs to happen if they end up in this situation. 'Please be cautious. There are so many people driving. There are so many waterways, there's bridges, there's open water. Know what to do. Talk to your family. So many people, they live out of town, their kids are 15 years old, 16 years old, getting their licence.' Giesbrecht said so many drowning deaths in vehicles are easily preventable and he hopes this simple demonstration will save lives.
