As Temperatures Warms, Watch Kids Around Water

With temperatures expected to warm this week, with some locations climbing into the triple digits, a local pediatrician reminds families to be cautious in and near the water.  Whether you’re headed to the neighborhood pool, or cooling off in a river or lake, children should always be supervised.  Kaiser Permanente Pediatrician Dr. Lisa Denike said even very young kids can learn basic water safety.

"Drownings happen to kids when they have an unanticipated fall into a body of water," Denike said.

She said swim lessons can reduce the risk by helping kids - even babies - learn how to float safely. 

"The worst thing you can do, if you fall into water, is panic, right? And if you don’t know how to swim and you have not been in the water, that’s the first thing you’re going to do and the chances of drowning are higher then," she added.

But Denike said, like floaties and water wings, lessons often give parents a false sense of security, and there is no substitute for close supervision.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com