June 21, 2024
Water Safety
By: Maisy Seale, MSW Intern & Janelle Schenk, LMSW
Introduction
Swimming can be one of the most thrilling parts of summer for a child, but it can also be one of the most dangerous. Children seek out water for a fun sensory experience, but this must be closely monitored.
Wandering to Water
Autistic children in particular are drawn to water for a calming sensory experience.
Some children might wander to seek out a pool or body of water in order to reduce their stress. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children with autism, so it is important to take precautions when bringing your child around water (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, 2023). Drownings typically occur near a child’s home, so it is important to ensure that your child is not leaving the safety of your property. Researchers suggest that children who are prone to elopement have a GPS monitoring device to alert parents when they leave the property (Guan & Li, 2017). This could be something like a smartwatch or smart tag that a child can wear. If you have a pool on your property, a separate fence surrounding the pool can block your child from entering the pool unsupervised. If there are pools or ponds in your neighborhood, you can keep a fence around your house to keep your child from leaving your property (Guan & Li, 2017). If you do not have a fence, you can get special locks for your doors that are out of reach for your child.
5 Layers of Protection
Even if your child is not prone to wandering, it is important to know how to prevent drowning. The National Drowning Protection Alliance has “5 Layers of Protection to Prevent Drowning” (NDPA, 2024). First is barriers and alarms. This includes fencing, pool covers, and alarm systems. Second is supervision. This means that a capable adult or lifeguard is watching children at all times. Third is water competency which includes swimming lessons and water safety skills. Fourth is life jackets which should be worn when in or near water. Fifth is emergency preparation. Learning CPR and water rescue skills can save a life. Always have a phone available to call 911 (NDPA, 2024).
Swimming Lessons
Regardless of if you have a pool or live near a body of water, swimming lessons are a great benefit to any child. Michigan in particular is known for its lakes, so before your child encounters these, prepare your child with water safety knowledge. Studies show that children who receive swim lessons earlier will acquire swim safety skills faster and improve their ability to navigate dangerous swimming situations (Guan & Li, 2017). Some children can start swimming lessons as early as age one, but most children are ready for swimming lessons by the age of four (American Academy of Pediatrics, n.d.). Swim lessons should be taught by qualified swimming instructors who are CPR and first aid certified. Swimming lessons should teach your child what to do if they end up in the water unexpectedly. If your child is a toddler or infant, make sure that the swimming lessons will have an adult within arm’s reach of your child at all times or find a class that allows you to participate in the lessons (American Academy of Pediatrics, n.d.). More information on swimming and swim lessons for kids with neurodevelopmental disabilities can be found here.
Lake Safety
When going to a lake for some summer fun, make sure there is an adult watching your child at all times. Some public beaches have lifeguards available to watch and help your child. Before going to a lake, explain to your child the dangers of going too far out into the water and the importance of wearing a life jacket. It is helpful to have your child wear a bright bathing suit that is not blue so they do not blend in with the lake (Katchakid, 2024). The Great Lakes can have rough waves, so pay attention to local safety warnings telling you if it is not safe to swim. If you plan on going on a boat this summer, keep a life jacket on your child at all times. In Michigan, children under the age of six are required by law to wear life jackets while on boats (State of Michigan, n.d.).
Pool Safety
Before going to a pool, explain the rules of the pool to your child. Tell your child that there must be an adult present when swimming. Have your child wear a life jacket if needed. Do not put your child in a blue swimsuit because most pool interiors are blue and your child will not stand out (Katchakid, 2024). Go to a pool with a lifeguard on duty so there can be extra eyes on your child and someone who is trained for emergencies. Teach your child to walk instead of run around a pool. Jumping into a pool can be fun, so teach your child to jump feet first to avoid a head injury in the shallow end of the pool. If the pool gets deep, teach your child to only swim to a certain part of the pool such as a ladder or a rope. Take frequent breaks from the pool to avoid getting tired and allow time for a bathroom break.
Conclusion
Swimming can be a great way to stay active and have fun during the summer. Water can provide a calming and relaxing experience. Keep the fun going by taking action to prevent water-related accidents. Preventative measures such as creating barriers to water and attending swimming lessons can save a child’s life. Teach your child about water safety before going to a lake or pool, then enjoy some summer fun!
Here are some places to take swimming lessons in the area:
- InstaSwim: A swim instructor comes to your house if you have a pool
- Liberty Athletic Club: Liberty Swim School (requires a membership)
- SafeSplash Swim School: Swimming lessons for any age and adaptive aquatics
- Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation: Group or individual swim lessons
References
First Sport. NDPA. (2024, May 23). https://ndpa.org/firstsport/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwx-CyBhAqEiwAeOcTdQshcJbd77tHgRuuEXliUoRcfg-eoA15glAbp4LLsXj9RYTk4dxedxoCWh8QAvD_BwE
Guan, J., & Li, G. (2017). Characteristics of unintentional drowning deaths in children with autism spectrum disorder. Injury Epidemiology, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-017-0129-4
Katchakid-Admin. (2023, June 7). Why a child should not wear blue swimsuits in a pool for safety. Katchakid. https://katchakid.com/blue-swimsuit/#:~:text=While%20a%20blue%20swimsuit%20might,difference%20in%20a%20dangerous%20situation
Life jacket rules. SOM – State of Michigan. (n.d.). https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/boating/rules-and-regs/life-jacket-rules
Panol, A. (2023, August 11). Water safety. The Autism Community in Action. https://tacanow.org/family-resources/water-safety/
Swim lessons: When to start & what parents should know. HealthyChildren.org. (n.d.). https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Swim-Lessons.aspx
Water safety | chop research institute. (2023). https://www.research.chop.edu/car-autism-roadmap/water-safety