Summer Safety: Keeping Children Safe Around Water as the Heat Approaches

MONROE, La. (KNOE) — As summer approaches, an increasing number of children will likely spend time in the water. Nevertheless, these activities could pose serious risks if proper caution isn’t exercised.

"I mean, you simply don't grasp how quickly it can occur. A child can drown within 30 seconds," stated Chelsie Summerville, a local ISR instructor.

The following day, after Summerville’s daughter nearly drowned during a seaside holiday, she opted to sign her up for ISR classes.

The Infant Swim Resource classes instruct infants ranging from six months to six years in vital techniques for staying buoyant and swimming in environments such as standard swimming pools.

Summerville remembers the event that nearly took her daughter's life.

"The next step was turning around and noticing she was floating approximately 3 inches below the surface, unable to rise. She continued to scream as I pulled her out," explained Summerville.

This is why Summerville chose to become an ISR instructor.

The CDC reports that drowning is the top reason for fatalities among children aged one to four in the U.S.

One piece of advice Summerville gave to parents was to avoid having their children use a puddle jumper while swimming, and she elaborated on her reasoning.

"It creates a misleading feeling of safety. They fail to understand that it's actually the puddle jumper keeping them aloft. They believe they have control like swimmers do, but this isn't true," explained Summerville.

William Robert, who owns Bayou Divers in West Monroe, suggested another important piece of advice: ensure that parents pay attention to the water’s depth and constantly watch over their kids, particularly when they're very young.

"They won’t feel afraid, so they might simply wonder off towards a large enough body of water like a lake, swimming pool, or pond without having any worries," explained Robert.

"If your pool is outdoors or something similar, install a small door chime up there so you can tell if your child exits the house. Additionally, consider using motion-activated lights. Lastly, make sure to learn CPR," advised Robert.

Summerville highlighted the significance of teaching children swimming skills from an early age.

"Some of the finest swimmers and members of swim teams were once ISR children. These kids become proficient in swimming, which means that if they continue with regular refresher courses each summer, they can develop into exceptional swimmers," explained Summerville.