It's Summer- Please Be Careful Moms

Summer brings lots of fun what with going to the beach, water parks and the pool. Just don't forget to be careful whenever your children are around water!

A scary but true stat: A swimming pool is 100 times as dangerous as a gun for your child.

Please don't let your child go swimming without your supervision. It doesn't matter if s/he has had swimming lessons, as these give a false sense of security. Don't trust a neighbor or babysitter to look out for your child either. They may have different standards than you do.

One of my neighbors sometimes invites my kids to swim in her backyard pool. (I only let them go when I can come to supervise.) My neighbor lets her child swim (he just turned 5) when she's across the street chatting with a neighbor. She calls that "watching".

Your kids need to be within arm's reach, so either get in the pool or stand right at the edge. And don't drink when your kids are swimming. Nothing's better than a cold one on a hot summer day, but you wouldn't drink and drive so don't drink and swim either.

Here's a quote from Martin Eichelberger, M.C., president and CEO of Safe Kids and Director of emergency trauma and burn services at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C:

"Drowning is quick and silent. Young kids rarely make a big splash, thrash around, or scream for help like you see on TV. They usually fall in head first and sink to the bottom like a rock."

Keep your kids safe this summer Moms!