https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 14 May 2026 23:58:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834965 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 13:39:18 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2834965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great reminders. We often use the puddle jumpers/life jackets at the pool because its hard to keep an eye on 3 kids even with 2 adults. </p> <p>This is also why my mom never trusted us to go to the beach with any friends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834963 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 13:29:51 +0000 Iced Tea 2834963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: thanks for the link. When we travel, I take our door monkey along, but I was also looking for an option to add to a locked door! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834962 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 13:17:20 +0000 Adira 2834962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: Those look great! Thanks!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834961 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 13:13:27 +0000 DesertDreams88 2834961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jennibenni: @LemonJack: @Adira: @Alba4: see comment above in case it is helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834959 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 13:07:51 +0000 DesertDreams88 2834959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For all the comments about children sneaking out especially at homes you're visiting.... a possible solution is a temporary child safety latch, 5 feet up. There's several options on Amazon, but here's an example of what I mean:<br /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Xtraguard-Action-Multi-Latches/dp/B007A2ZSZ8/" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Xtraguard-Action-Multi-Latches/dp/B007A2ZSZ8/</a></p> <p>It can be easily applied and removed, no need to drill into anything. It's not perfect because it can be left undone/open by a careless adult, but it's something. </p> <p>For all those wondering for a more permanent door-based solution, we have a auto-close, auto-latch back patio door installed by <a href="http://www.sliderightdoors.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.sliderightdoors.com/</a>. They are only in Arizona it looks like, but I bet there are other similar companies out there.</p> <p>We also will be getting a pool net (like this:https://allsafepool.com/pool-nets/) installed in Nov/Dec after we get our pool re-done. I was skeptical of them but our friends got one and it is amazing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834897 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 08:34:26 +0000 periwinklebee 2834897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: Ugh...I would be so mad if this were me...</p> <p>And that story is so heartbreaking :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834894 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 08:25:31 +0000 snowjewelz 2834894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: I think I'm thinking of the same twins :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834885 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 07:49:45 +0000 Alba4 2834885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These stories and statistics freak me out. Next week we are visiting my parents, whose shore home is surrounded by water and they have a pool. It gets chaotic when my family and my brother’s family visits. I’ve asked my parents to set their alarm to beep when any door opens, but they refuse. I’m worried that the kids may sneak out of the house without an adult especially since my oldest nephew can be sneaky and my oldest (5) worships the ground he walks on. There are no safety gates or fences along the bay or around the pool. We try to limit our time there as it is not relaxing and makes us incredible anxious to visit, since it is unsafe.</p> <p>Last summer it was on the local news that a family lost twin 3 year olds. They went outside early one morning before their parents were awake and fell into the pool and died. Can you imagine?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834815 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 19:24:43 +0000 HappyBaker 2834815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I read this article this morning and it really hit home for me tonight when my almost SIX year old just randomly decided to go play outside alone while I was putting her brothers to bed. She has never in her life left the house without a grown up, but took it upon herself tonight to put her sneakers and sweatshirt on and play in the yard without telling me. We don't have a pool, but I can totally see how something like this happens, and I will definitely be more vigilant when there is water nearby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834808 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 18:32:48 +0000 Hypatia 2834808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was a fantastic swimmer as a child. At summer camps I'd always win or runner up in the swimming competitions. Even so, I almost drowned in four feet of water in front of my family, who were watching and didn't realize what was happening for thr longest time. I came down a water slide into a lake that had vegetation on the bottom, and for some reason (maybe because it was murky and different from a pool), I panicked. I tried swimming up but it was like I was swimming in place, I lost the breath I was holding, and I just floated there unable to do anything. It wasn't until my family realized it was taking too long for me to come up that they finally acted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834797 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 17:06:00 +0000 808love 2834797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: Ok I had to scan through the middle bc I couldn't watch. That is exactly what happened to my brother. I think he was 2 and I was 4. The lifeguard and my mom jumped in at the same time. They probably thought I was 'watching' him but I couldn't do anything but yell. It was in an instant. :(</p> <p>ETA I just watched again- all of it. The boy is ok, right?? Can't really tell. So it looks like the other mom didn't pick the boy out of the water? She went to get the mom first instead?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834794 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 16:54:08 +0000 josina 2834794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: @Jennibenni: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RYo2F5N6qA" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RYo2F5N6qA</a><br /> I remember seeing this video last year, hard to watch! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834792 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 16:51:10 +0000 Jennibenni 2834792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: What do you mean by round pool inflatable’s? Can you share a picture? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834790 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 16:45:09 +0000 808love 2834790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't use round pool inflatables. My brother almost drowned right in front of me when he flipped upside down at this age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834789 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 16:45:01 +0000 josina 2834789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: Yes it did. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834788 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 16:35:57 +0000 periwinklebee 2834788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found this chart useful: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/injury/images/lc-charts/leading_causes_of_death_highlighting_unintentional_2016_1040w800h.gif" rel="nofollow">https://www.cdc.gov/injury/images/lc-charts/leading_causes_of_death_highlighting_unintentional_2016_1040w800h.gif</a></p> <p>Here's a version w/o accidents broken down: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/injury/images/lc-charts/leading_causes_of_death_age_group_2016_1056w814h.gif" rel="nofollow">https://www.cdc.gov/injury/images/lc-charts/leading_causes_of_death_age_group_2016_1056w814h.gif</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834782 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 16:10:19 +0000 theotherstark 2834782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, this terrifies me. Our pediatrician asks at every appointment to make sure we’re doing swim lessons.</p> <p>Also, putting this article here to know what to look for with drowning. It’s been shared before, but always good to have a reminder, especially during the summer months: </p> <p><a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/family/2013/06/rescuing_drowning_children_how_to_know_when_someone_is_in_trouble_in_the.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/family/2013/06/rescuing_drowning_children_how_to_know_when_someone_is_in_trouble_in_the.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834774 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 15:56:22 +0000 looch 2834774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Thanks for the reminder. We need to talk about these things and remember that it could happen to any one of us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834773 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 15:52:49 +0000 Ms. RV 2834773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: Did the drowning take place at the day care? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834765 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 15:10:41 +0000 Madison43 2834765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just to elaborate for those that are anti floaties. Learning to swim is a process for small kids - even if they can “swim” most don’t have the breath control and/or coordination to swim independently for any period of time until they are older. For example, my almost 5 yr old has been in swim lessons weekly for 2 years. She can jump in and swim back to the edge, swim the length of an Olympic size pool on her back (just kicking, working on arms), and can swim half the length of the pool using a hybrid freestyle/underwater type stroke. She still wears a jacket/puddle jumper because she gets tired very easily, and honestly, even though she can jump off a diving board into the deep end and get herself back to the edge, I’m not sure how she’d react if she accidentally fell in or got water up her nose or any other unexpected thing. I expect it will be another year before she doesn’t need a floatation device part time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834746 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 14:44:40 +0000 catgirl 2834746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: we didn't use a puddle jumper until DD was 2.5. Prior to that she was happy to sit on the pool steps, sit in very shallow water at a lake, of let us hold her in deeper water. But at 2.5 she did not want to be held - in part because she is not a big hugger/toucher and in part because her need for independence was very high. One of us is still always with her in the water.</p> <p>We always start with her in the water without the puddle jumper though, 10ish minutes where we work on her feeling her body in the water. But then she wears the puddle jumper. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834745 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 14:44:23 +0000 LemonJack 2834745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: Our 4 year old has been in lessons for two years, but we still have her wear a life vest or puddle jumper when swimming or near the water as an extra level of security. We will allow her to swim without them sometimes too, but if she’s just splashing around in the water, we keep it on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834743 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 14:41:09 +0000 josina 2834743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Drowning is super scary for me for multiple reasons -<br /> 1st, an 18 month old girl drowned at our last daycare; a pool ladder was left in an above-ground pool and she left the group and was found too late, so so sad and unnecessary.<br /> 2nd we live next to a river. My husband is absolutely paranoid one of the kids would wander down there. We have an alarm on our basement door and our upstairs doors have locks out-of-reach of the kids, plus the deck has a gate, latch and padlock. </p> <p>I've heard of three drownings this summer already, luckily 2 survived. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4/page/2#post-2834741 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 14:37:37 +0000 Adira 2834741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: @Madison43: Totally agree - our kids use puddle jumpers or life vests - they're a safety precaution. Our 5 year old knows he can't swim well on his own yet (he's in swimming lessons where they aren't allowed to use floaties, so he knows he can't really swim on his own), so the puddle jumper makes us both feel safer. But I still keep my eyes on him 100% of the time he's in the water. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4#post-2834737 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 14:34:07 +0000 dc yoga bee 2834737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This was so hard to read but needed. Happened on my birthday too. I sent it to my network as a reminder. Thank you for posting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4#post-2834734 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 14:22:29 +0000 snowjewelz 2834734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: I don't think floaties is the devil; my sister &amp; I used them before we learned how to swim. Also my sister almost drowned once as a young but good swimmer so to me, while knowing how to swim greatly reduces your risk of drowning, it's still possible. </p> <p>My 3.5 year old is very aware that floaties help her to swim. She is a cautious kid and has openly rejected swim lessons until this summer where she just started expressing interest again. She loves the pool and I don't why I wouldn't put her in her puddle jumper esp we don't own a pool and only 1 friend has a pool and we don't go often. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4#post-2834732 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 14:22:02 +0000 Madison43 2834732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: we use a puddle jumper/ life vest in a pool area for the same reason you would at a lake or on a boat. If you are at a pool and fall in and can’t swim, youre safer having one of those things on than not, even if I am in the pool with the kids, which I always am. My kids are both in swim lessons and my almost 5 year is this close to swimming independently but she likes to wear her floats when she jumps into the deep end or wants a break from really swimming to just play. Swimming is exhausting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4#post-2834731 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 14:21:38 +0000 LemonJack 2834731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Terrifying!! :( Our doctor has warned us about this. Our ODD is four, and has been in lessons since she was two. Sometimes I’d like to pull her out and take a break for awhile while we do something else, but she’s so overconfident in the water that I worry about doing that. My parents have a house on a lake, and we make her wear a life vest when playing outside because we worry about her. I can totally see her getting in the water to grab something, and it terrifies me. Edited to add that I’ll be even more vigilant in watching her IN the house too. I try to keep the door facing the lake locked, but when there are a lot of people there that’s not possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4#post-2834729 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 14:14:23 +0000 agold 2834729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is scary but not a surprise to me. I just put my 22 month old in swim lessons after Bode Miller's girl drowned. We are around pools a lot, so we have to watch our kids so carefully. I remember seeing something about drowning being a silent occurrence (as opposed to a kid splashing around and screaming and such) and that has freaked me out forever. </p> <p>I will not use floaties on my kid ever. In additon to what was said above about them, floaties also make kids think they swim vertically - but you swim horizontally. </p> <p>Why is it that people put floaties on their kids? Is it because you don't have access to swim lessons? It's no fun at all for ME in a pool right now because I am basically just with my toddler on the steps or helping her learn to swim, but i don't know at what point I would feel compelled to put floaties on her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/psa-drowning-is-leading-cause-of-death-in-children-ages-1-4#post-2834727 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 14:06:42 +0000 crazydoglady 2834727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a mama of a 3 year old boy, this article was SO hard to read, but SO necessary. We don't have a pool or anything, but this is a kick in the butt to be extra extra vigilant when at the homes of our friends with pools. I am heartbroken for this mom, but appreciate her efforts. I had no idea it was the leading cause of death...I figured it was car accidents or something. </p>