Summer water safety around the home
We are all drawn to water on hot summer days, especially children who love to play with water. Here are some tips to keep safe around your home:
- Never leave a child unsupervised in water. Drowning can occur in only a few centimetres of water
- Empty paddling pools as soon as the child is finished with it
- Water in larger swimming or paddling pools need to be treated to keep the water clean and healthy
- Keep water treatment chemicals out of reach of children and pets
- Water can cool the body very quickly. Be aware of hypothermia
- Sand pits, and their lids, can fill with rain water. Make sure these are emptied
- Ponds, streams and even large puddles around the home are a danger to children
- Water butts and barrels also fill with water. Make sure these have lids that cannot be easily opened by children or have wire mesh on them
- CPR is an invaluable lifesaving skill, and should be known by everyone. Visit www.irishheart.ie for courses in your area
- For water safety tips outside of the home visit www.watersafety.ie