NORFOLK, Va. — Every summer, families flock to area beaches and pools to cool off from the hot, sticky coastal weather.
But with more time by the water, drownings, especially in children, reach the highest point of the year.
"As we head to the beaches, pools, kayaks, tubes and boats, remember that it takes less than a minute for a child in water to drown," said Dr. Susan Girois, director of the Norfolk Department of Public Health, placing emphasis on the need to pay attention to your children when they're by the water this summer.
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In the past five years, over 500 drownings have been reported in Virginia, according to the Norfolk Department of Health. Since Memorial Day, six children under the age of 5 have died, stressing the imperative of supervision of children by the water.
The department offers these prevention tips to help keep your family safe this summer:
- Learn how to swim
- Learn CPR
- Always swim with a buddy
- Avoid swimming at night
- Watch for swimming hazards
- Observe lifeguard advisories
- Make sure pools have proper safety features
- Wear proper U.S coast guard approved life jackets
