MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Memorial Day weekend is known as the unofficial kickoff of summer, which means kids will be spending more time outdoors and in the water.

To prepare for spending more time outdoors and in the water, UW Health Kids offers water safety tips to keep kids safe this summer.

Safe Kids Worldwide reports that nearly 800 children die each year from unintentional drownings, making it one of the leading causes of preventable injury-related deaths among children aged one to four.

While water activities can be fun ways for kids and families to spend the summer months, they shouldn’t lead to as many injuries and deaths as they do each year, according to Rishelle Eithun, head of child safety and injury prevention at UW Health Kids.

“Drowning is one of the most preventable causes of death in children,” Eithun said. “Families never think it could happen to them until it does. Fortunately, there are a number of things parents and caregivers can do to ensure their children are as safe as possible in and on the water this summer.

UW Health Kids has given the following safety recommendations:

• Supervise your children in and around the water, without distractions. Many drownings are silent, so it’s important to keep an eye on children at all times.
• Get your kids to take swimming lessons. Teach children to swim in open water and in the pool.
• Ask your children to wear a life jacket suitable for their weight and skill level in the water. Seventy-seven percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of these, 84 percent were not wearing a lifejacket.
• Learn CPR and basic water rescue skills. Discuss as a family how to respond to an on-water emergency.

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