Every May, the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County (DOH Charlotte County) recognizes National Water Safety Month to help people avoid drowning and enjoy Florida’s many lakes, rivers, beaches, and pools safely.
Water safety isn’t just for parents; it’s something everyone should care about. Family members, neighbors, community groups, everyone plays a part. The data speaks for itself: children between the ages of 1 and 4 face the highest risk of drowning in home pools, while older kids are more at risk in lakes and rivers.
That’s why DOH-Charlotte wants you to keep these water safety tips in mind:
— Always watch kids whenever they’re near water, including bathtubs, pools, or natural bodies of water.
— Never leave a child alone near water.
— If you can’t find your child, check the pool or any nearby water first.
— Put up barriers such as fences or self-latching gates, and secure doors with alarms to prevent kids from wandering into water.
— Keep a phone nearby in case of an emergency.
— Don’t swim with open cuts or wounds. Bacteria in the water can enter the body through breaks in the skin.
— If you get a cut while swimming, clean it right away with soap and running water and cover it with a dry, clean bandage.
When swimming at the beach or lake, remember that open water comes with extra risks. Even strong swimmers can run into trouble.
Stick to these guidelines:
— Always swim with a buddy, and pay attention to safety flags and posted signs.
— If you have a weak immune system, an open cut, or nobody to swim with, stay on shore.
— Steer clear of animals living in or near the water. And avoid swimming, wading, using watercraft, or even touching water where you see visible algal blooms like red tide or blue-green algae. For the latest updates on these blooms, visit Protecting Florida Together or check out the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Algal Bloom Dashboard.
Want more information? Call DOH-Charlotte at 941-624-7200.
About the Florida Department of Health:
The Department, accredited nationally by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works statewide to protect, promote, and improve the health of everyone in Florida through partnerships at all levels: state, county, and local community.
For more information, head to FloridaHealth.gov.
