Here are some facts about the drowning epidemic in the United States. Drowning is the leading cause of injury related death for children ages 1-4. It's possible to drown in as little as an inch of water. 11 Americans die every day from a drowning. 22 are affected by a non-fatal drowning each day. Drowning injuries can cause brain damage or other serious outcomes. Males are at a higher risk than females. African-American children ages 5-19 drown in swimming pools at 5.5 times

This article in the Chicago Tribune outlines the dilemma perfectly. It’s a hot summer and we want a way to cool off but beaches and public pools are closed. So, we are turning to some alternative ways to cool off that may present some unintended safety risks. I, too, bought one of those self-set pools referred to in the article. Being the safety-oriented person that I am, I did put a fence around it per our town’s municipal code. But th e fact remains that there is an awful

Guest Blogger - Rebecca Wear Robinson, Make the Minute Matter When the first snow hits before Halloween, you know it is going to be a cold winter. When you think of ice and snow, you don’t think of drowning, but you should. Lake Michigan may look frozen close to the shore, but those ice slabs are constantly shifting and changing. Rivers, ponds, drainage ditches - they all appear to be great for skating and sledding, but it’s impossible to tell whether the ice is thick enough

Whether at the pool, the lake or the ocean, it is extremely important that you know how you can help prevent drowning. Unlike what many people think, drowning happens quickly and quietly with very little waving or yelling for help. When proper water safety is not being practiced, drowning can even go unnoticed. Children can begin drowning for a number of reasons, even if they are strong swimmers. This post describes the common signs of drowning and provides and interactive le