Thurston County Board of Health warns children aged 1-4 years are at risk of drowning

As families plan and head out for a summer swim, the Thurston County Board of Health (BoH) warns parents to be extra attentive as children between 1-4 years old are at risk of drowning.

“Drowning, of course, is one of the major hazards associated with swimming,” Sammy Berg, the Thurston County Senior Environmental Health Specialist said, during a regular BoH meeting on July 13.

He added, “Unfortunately, more children die between the ages of 1 and 4 because of drowning, more than any other cause of death except for birth defects.”

Globally, the World Health Organization listed drowning as one of the top leading causes of unintentional injury death. The WHO also claimed that age is one of the major risk factors in the majority of drowning incidents with the highest number of cases belonging to children aged 1-4 years old.

To prevent such incidents, the BoH encourages parents to take their children to swimming lessons. The senior health specialist added that parents must take extra precautions and ensure that pools have adequate fencing and life jackets.

“Attentive adult supervision is a key factor,” Berg said. He noted that parents should not leave their children unsupervised even for just a few minutes. Berg also cautioned adults to refrain from alcohol, or have any distractions.

Aside from safety precautions, Berg added some health reminders. The senior health specialist noted that children with diarrhea should avoid using the pool. He advised that it is best for children not to use diapers during their swim, as wastes may possibly leak out, and contaminate the water. Instead, he advised parents to ensure that their kids take frequent bathroom breaks every two hours.