Paulding County, GA – According to the CDC, drowning is the number-one cause of accidental death in children under the age of four. “Whether it’s in a tub or a pool, water of any depth can be dangerous for kids,” says Travis Boatright of The Professional Fire Fighters of Paulding, of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
The Professional Fire Fighters of Paulding advise that by taking proper precautions, accidental drowning can be prevented.
The Professional Fire Fighters of Paulding have joined Nationwide’s “Make Safe Happen” campaign to create greater awareness of water safety and protect children from accidental drowning. This Water Safety campaign offers safety tips and other resources, including bathtub safety, how to identify “dry drowning” and how to keep your swim area safe.
“It’s also important to know how these water deaths in children are happening,” says Travis Boatright. “This is critical information that all caretakers of young children should know.” Important safety tips include:

Always be in arm’s distance from your child Choose life jackets over water wings Stay clear of drains Install a fence around your home pool Learn CPR and first aid Always have a phone with you to call for help

“Kids love to make a splash, but they often don’t know their limits,” says Travis Boatright. “That’s why we need to actively watch them when they’re in and around water.” For more information about water safety, visit: makesafehappen.com. For potentially life-threatening situations, call 9-1-1 so fire fighters and paramedics can respond quickly when lives are in danger.