The weather is heating up, which means beach trips and pool days are on the horizon. But these warm-weather activities can also bring common questions about water safety.

If you’re traveling to your favorite vacation spot, venturing out for a day on the lake or just hanging out at your neighborhood pool, our experts at Atrium Health Levine Children’s have a few tips to help you and your family swim safely this summer.

According to Safe Kids Worldwide , 918 children under the age of 19 drowned in 2018, and more than 7,000 were seen in the emergency department.

Shannon Wilfong , pediatric trauma injury prevention coordinator at Atrium Health’s Levine Children's Hospital, says accidental injury – including drowning – is the leading cause of death among preventable injuries for children ages 1-4 years old.

“I have heard so many families who have experienced a traumatic event say they never thought it would happen to them – until it did,” Wilfong says. “Our job as adults is to protect our children.”

Jennifer Davis Prabhu , MD , pediatrician at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Midtown Pediatrics , says drowning and near-drowning incidents often happen when you don’t expect anyone to be in the pool.

“When swim time is over, make sure gates are secure and doors are locked. That way nobody can access the pool and think they can swim when no one is watching,” Dr. Prabhu says.

See more pool safety tips.

Although the risk for water-related injuries is very much a reality, there are several things you can do to help kids safely enjoy their time in the water. Here are a few recommendations to keep in mind:

“People think drowning only happens at the pool or in the ocean, but a lot of incidents occur in the home,” Wilfong says. Young children can drown in as little as one inch of water. From sinks and toilets to coolers and buckets, any amount of water can be dangerous. Empty buckets and kiddie pools after use and never leave children unattended when they are in or near water. 

See more water safety tips.

Keep kids safe from the sun while they’re splashing around. Use sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of 15 or higher. And be sure to apply sunscreen 15 minutes before you go outdoors or in the water and reapply sunscreen every 2 hours (even on cloudy days). You can also wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts. 

See more sun safety tips.

If you have any questions about water and sun safety, ask your pediatrician. You can find a pediatrician here . 

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