Water Safety For Families With Children With Special Needs
Drowning is a silent killer – it happens quickly and quietly. Being “water safe” means taking the proper precautions in the home as well as around open water and pools. Water safety is important for any family, but this is especially true for families of children with special needs.
Whether you are enjoying the pool as a family, engaged in adaptive aquatics classes or bathing your child, there are some simple steps you can take to make it a safe experience in and around the water.
Water Safety Tips
Find the right life jacket for your child’s needs; this may include choosing an adaptive life jacket or a standard Type I or Type II life jacket. For information on different types of adaptive life jackets, go to Life Jacket-Adapted Inc.
Always keep children within arm’s reach while in or near the water, this includes bathtubs, toilets, hot tubs, pools and open water. Adult supervision is a must at all times.
Take Adaptive Aquatics Classes together as a family to learn swim skills and reinforce general water safety principles. You can sign up for classes through your local parks and recreation division or at your local YMCA.
Install grab bars in the bathtub.
When using bath seats, do not leave your child alone, even for a second.
Remember: The thought of a child drowning is a scary thought for any parent, but this silent killer can be prevented with simple steps.
