OWL Promotes Water Safety Month – O.W.L. Volunteer Fire Department

As we welcome the arrival of warmer weather, it is crucial to emphasize water safety. The Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department (OWL VFD) is once again observing National Water Safety Month this month and all year long. It’s important to raise awareness about the potential risks associated with water-related activities.

The Importance of Water Safety

Drowning remains a significant concern globally, ranking among the leading causes of unintentional deaths. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 236,000 annual drowning deaths each year, making it a major public health problem worldwide. In the United States, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in children aged 1–14 years. These alarming statistics highlight the need for comprehensive water safety education and preventative measures.

Understanding Drowning Risks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1-4, except for birth defects. For children ages 1-14, it is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death following motor vehicle crashes. In 2022, the highest risk locations for drowning vary by age:

Less than 1 year old: two-thirds drowned in bathtubs
Ages 1-13: a high percentage of deaths occurred in swimming pools
Ages 14-17: drowning occurred in natural waters like lakes, rivers, and oceans

Teaching Swimming and Water Safety Skills

Teaching swimming and water safety skills plays a vital role in reducing the risk of drowning. OWL encourages parents to enroll their children in swimming lessons and educate them about pool rules and safe practices. It is important to recognize that swimming lessons are not limited to children; adults can also benefit from improving their water skills.

Boating Safety

Boating safety is another critical aspect of water safety. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were 636 boating fatalities reported in 2022, with operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed, lack of lifejackets and machinery failure being major contributing factors. Wearing life jackets, abstaining from alcohol while boating, and completing boater safety courses significantly enhance boating safety and minimize the risk of accidents.

Pool and Water Feature Safety

Pool owners should ensure their pools are appropriately fenced, equipped with safety covers, and stocked with essential safety equipment such as life rings and safety ropes.

Residents need to be vigilant to prevent injuries and drownings. Take the following precautions:

NEVER leave a child unsupervised near a pool, spa, bathtub, toilet, water-filled bucket, pond, or any standing body of water for even a second.
ALWAYS designate a responsible adult to be the “Water Watcher” of young children while in and around water. The designated adult should not be involved in other distracting activities, such as answering the phone or playing games.
Install a four-sided, 5-foot fence with a gate around pools or spas, ensuring the gate is self-closing and self-latching with latches above a child’s reach.
DO NOT use flotation devices like air-filled or foam toys, noodles, or inner tubes in place of life jackets/personal flotation devices (PFDs).
DO NOT allow children to play in and around the pool or spa area, and remove all toys, balls, and floats from around or in a pool.
DO NOT allow underwater play in a hot tub or spa.
Know where the pump cutoff switch is located in the hot tub or spa, so it can be turned off in an emergency.
Keep a locked safety cover on the hot tub or spa when not in use.
Learn to swim; formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning among children ages 1-4.
Avoid swimming after dark and in muddy waters of lakes, ponds, and rivers.
Require all persons to wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets/PFDs when boating or involved in water-related recreational activities, regardless of their swimming ability, size of the boat, or distance to be traveled.
DO NOT dive into above-ground pools, shallow water, or water where you don’t know the depth to avoid spinal injuries.
ALWAYS swim and/or boat with a buddy and select areas with lifeguards.
Avoid alcohol consumption or use of other drugs while supervising children during recreational water activities or participating in such activities.
Check local weather conditions prior to engaging in recreational water activities.
Learn CPR, as it can save lives.

National Water Safety Month serves as a timely reminder that safety should always take precedence when engaging in water activities. By adhering to basic safety guidelines and educating ourselves and our loved ones, we can prevent accidents and create a summer filled with fun and safe experiences in the water.

For more information, visit the World Health Organization, CDC, and Safe Kids Worldwide.