Pediatric Safety Tips

children on playground

Water Safety Saves Lives

Water safety and drowning prevention matter because drowning is the number one cause of unintentional injury death in California for children under age 5, and more young children have died from water-related injuries than from motor vehicle crashes in the past decade. Drowning is also the second leading cause of death for children 0–14 years old, and every day an average of 10 people in the U.S. die from drowning, 20% of them children under 14 years old.

In the house
  • Never leave a child unattended in the bathtub, even for a moment to answer the door or the phone.  
  • Keep toilet lids shut and use toilet locks in homes with an infant or toddler.  
  • When mopping floors, place the bucket in a sink if you have small children who are learning to walk, because their natural curiosity and “top heavy” bodies make them likely to fall in head first.  
  • Remember that small children do not have the coordination to push their heads back out of the water, especially if they fall into a bucket.  
  • If there are cleaning agents in the bucket, a fall can cause additional complications beyond drowning.  
  • Store all buckets up and out of reach of small children at all times, not just when they contain water.
In the yard
  • Prevent children from having direct access to a swimming pool; a four-sided isolation fence around the pool is the best barrier you can invest in.  
  • Do not rely on the house as the “fourth side” of the fence, because this protects your neighbors more than your own children unless you add more barriers.  
    Choose a “designated water watcher” whenever children are in or near water, making sure this adult maintains constant visual contact and avoids all distracting activities.  
  • Switch water watcher duties with another responsible adult every 15–30 minutes so that supervision stays fresh and alert.  
  • Store buckets both inside and outside your home, and keep kiddie pools emptied and upside down, because a child can drown in as little as one inch of water.  
  • Be aware that sprinklers can refill an emptied kiddie pool and create a drowning hazard, which is why storing them upside down is essential.  
  • Avoid using air-filled toys such as water wings or “floaties” as swimming support, because they are not life jackets and can create a false sense of security that increases drowning risk.
At lakes, the ocean, and other bodies of water
  • Follow all posted rules and guidelines, and stay near a lifeguard when you are at the beach or other supervised swimming area.  
  • Remember that the lifeguard provides extra eyes but does not replace your own “water watcher” adult supervision.  
  • Obey lifeguard instructions promptly, and continue active supervision of children even when lifeguards are present.  
  • Create a special water safety plan for outings to rivers or lakes, and pay close attention to signs and posted rules in these areas.  
  • Understand that rivers and lakes can look different from year to year because of seasonal changes like rain and snow melt, which can change currents and depths.
Fast facts and how to respond
  • Teenagers most often drown in rivers and lakes, often because they overestimate their swimming skills, so they still need adult supervision and should follow the “swim with a buddy” rule.  
  • A toddler can drown at a picnic without a pool or fountain nearby, for example by reaching into a plastic beverage tub with an inch of melted ice and falling in head first.  
  • In early summer, snow melt in the Central Valley creates fast-running rivers and deeper lakes, so everyone should wear U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets and learn how to fit a child’s life jacket properly.  
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that water safety interventions, including when to start swimming lessons, be based on each child’s developmental stage.  
  • Be prepared to respond to a drowning emergency by learning CPR; adults and teens over 13 can save a child’s life by starting CPR immediately and effectively.  
  • If a child is missing, always look in the water first, call 9–1–1, and begin CPR.
The ABCs of water safety
A – Active adult supervision, including “touch supervision” for children under 5 years old.  
B – Barriers such as pool fencing and locked doors that block unsupervised access to water.  
C – Classes such as swimming lessons and CPR courses that prepare families to prevent and respond to emergencies.

 

Keeping Kids Safe All Year Long

Every season brings different risks for children. Here's what Central California families should watch for throughout the year.

Spring

Warming temperatures bring more time outdoors and more chances for accidents.

  • Allergies and asthma: Spring pollen is heavy in the Central Valley. If your child has asthma, make sure their inhaler is up to date and that their school or caregiver has a copy of their action plan.
  • Playground and bike safety: As kids head back outside, check that helmets fit correctly. A helmet should sit level on the head, two fingers above the eyebrows, and should not rock side to side.
  • Bug exposure: Ticks and mosquitoes become active in spring. Use insect repellent with DEET on children older than 2 months. Check for ticks after time in grass or brush, especially in the hair, behind the knees, and around the waist.
  • Water hazards: Irrigation canals, ditches, and retention ponds fill up in spring. These are not safe for swimming. Canals have strong currents and steep, slippery walls. Keep children away from all open waterways.

Summer

Summer is the highest-risk season for children in the Central Valley. Heat, water, and long days outdoors all require extra attention.

  • Heat illness: Kids heat up faster than adults and don't always know when to slow down. Make sure children drink water every 15–20 minutes when playing outside. Limit outdoor activity between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Dress kids in light, loose clothing and hats with brims.
  • Heat exhaustion warning signs: Heavy sweating, pale skin, weakness, dizziness, or nausea. Move your child to a cool place and give them water.
  • Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Signs include hot, dry skin, confusion, or loss of consciousness. Call 911 right away.
  • Hot cars: Never leave a child in a parked car. On a hot day, the inside of a car can reach 120°F in minutes. A child can develop heatstroke and die in less than 30 minutes.
  • Water safety: Never leave a child alone near water. Drowning can happen in seconds and is often silent. Have one adult watch the water at all times — no phones, no distractions. Make sure life jackets fit snugly and are U.S. Coast Guard approved. Floaties and swim rings are toys, not safety devices. Empty pools, buckets, and tubs right away. Even a few inches of water can be dangerous for toddlers.
  • Rivers and lakes can have strong currents, cold water, slippery rocks, and sudden drop-offs: always supervise children closely and make sure they wear a life jacket.
  • Sun protection: Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Apply 15 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours, or sooner if swimming or sweating. Do not use sunscreen on babies under 6 months: keep them in the shade with lightweight, protective clothing.
  • Seasonal illness: Hand, foot, and mouth disease spreads easily among young children in summer. Stomach bugs can spread at pools, water parks, and cookouts. Wash hands often and remind kids not to swallow pool water.
  • Swimmer's ear: After swimming, have your child tilt their head to each side to help water drain from the ear canal.

Fall

Temperatures drop, kids go back to school, and new risks come with the change.

  • Back-to-school illness: Colds, flu, and stomach bugs spread quickly in classrooms. Make sure your child is up to date on vaccinations, including the flu shot. Teach kids to wash hands before eating and after using the restroom.
  • Air quality: Fall can bring smoky days to the Central Valley from wildfires. Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) before outdoor activities. On days with poor air quality, keep children indoors and keep windows closed. Children with asthma are especially at risk.
  • Traffic and pedestrian safety: Shorter days mean kids are walking to and from school in low light. Make sure children wear bright or reflective clothing and know to look both ways — including for turning cars — before crossing.
  • Sports injuries: Fall sports season means more sprains, fractures, and head injuries. Make sure your child wears the right protective gear for their sport. Any hit to the head should be taken seriously. When in doubt, sit them out and call your doctor.

Winter

Central California winters are mild, but cold and flu season, holiday hazards, and rainy conditions bring their own risks.

  • Flu and RSV: These respiratory illnesses peak in winter and can be serious for young children and infants. Get your child vaccinated against the flu every year. Wash hands frequently and keep sick children home from school or childcare.
  • Wet roads and slippery surfaces: Rain makes roads, sidewalks, and playgrounds slippery. Slow down on wet pavement when driving. Dress kids in shoes with good grip.
  • Holiday safety: Small decorations, button batteries, and holiday plants like poinsettia and mistletoe can be dangerous for young children. Keep small objects out of reach of children under 4, and store button batteries — found in toys, remote controls, and ornaments — in a locked place. If a child swallows a button battery, go to the emergency department immediately.
  • Carbon monoxide: Heaters and fireplaces used in winter can produce carbon monoxide. Make sure your home has a working carbon monoxide detector on every level. Never use a gas oven or outdoor grill to heat your home.
  • Car seat safety year-round: The right car seat, used correctly, is one of the best ways to protect your child. Rear-facing is safest for infants and toddlers. Forward-facing with a harness comes next. Booster seats are for older children until the seat belt fits correctly across the chest and lap. Many fire stations offer free installation checks.

When to Call 911

Call 911 immediately if your child:

  • Has been pulled from water and is not breathing or is unresponsive
  • Has signs of heatstroke — hot skin, confusion, or loss of consciousness
  • Is having a severe allergic reaction, including swelling of the face or throat or trouble breathing
  • Has been in a car crash and you are unsure of their injuries
  • Is having a seizure or cannot be woken up
  • Has swallowed a button battery or a unknown chemical or medication