In recent years, I’ve become increasingly alarmed by how mobile phones, tablets, and laptops are quietly contributing to child drownings and near-drowning incidents. The growing dependence on these devices in everyday life is leading to distracted parenting, especially around water, where every second counts. The problem – water safety for kids – is getting worse.
The Hidden Danger of Mobile Devices Around Water
In fact, there have been instances where lifeguards or emergency responders saved a drowning child, only to find that the parents were too distracted by their phones to even notice. As one lifeguard recalled, “We’ve had cases where we’ve saved the child, resuscitated them, the ambulance and emergency doctor are already on site, and then at some point, the parent comes along because they’ve finished their call or were somewhere else in the building.” This kind of distraction could mean the difference between life and death.
In some places, the issue has become so severe that swimming pools in Germany have begun evicting parents who are too distracted by their phones to watch their children. These pools are taking a stand to protect the lives of children and emphasize water safety for kids by ensuring parents are paying attention. It’s an unfortunate reality, but a necessary measure to highlight just how dangerous mobile distractions have become.
I’ve been trying for years to spread the word and raise awareness about how mobile devices affect water safety for kids in the community, but the issue continues to worsen. Too many people are unaware of how dangerous even a few moments of distraction can be. If you agree with this children’s water safety message, please share it – it might just save a life.
Vigilance: The Price of a Child’s Safety
We’ve all heard the saying, “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” But when it comes to water safety for kids, the stakes are even higher. The price of a child’s life is constant, unwavering attention. Any body of water – whether it’s a swimming pool, bathtub, bucket, washing machine, kiddie pool, puddle, dam, lake, river, or the ocean – can quickly become a death trap for a small child. It can happen in just moments.
Children’s water safety is not something you can afford to take lightly. Water doesn’t have to be deep for a child to drown. A few inches of water in a bucket or a puddle can be fatal. The simple act of looking away for a few seconds can be enough for a tragedy to unfold.
Drowning Is a Silent Killer – Don’t Expect a Cry for Help
One of the most dangerous misconceptions about drowning is that it’s loud or obvious. Many parents believe that if their child falls into the water, they’ll cry for help or thrash around. The reality is far more terrifying: drowning is often silent.
Unless your child has developed strong swimming or personal aquatic survival skills, they won’t be able to call for help. Their mouth will be underwater, and their arms and legs may be flailing beneath the surface. There’s no time to scream or cry out – they simply slip beneath the water without a sound. It happens so quickly that, in many cases, no one notices until it’s too late.
Pool Fences Aren’t Enough: Don’t Let Your Guard Down
Many people rely on pool fences and gates to keep their children’s water safety. Yes, it’s absolutely essential that pools are fenced and that gates close securely. But relying on these measures alone is a dangerous mistake. Children are incredibly resourceful and can find ways around safety barriers.
They can pull chairs to the fence, climb on each other’s backs, or find other creative ways to bypass these barriers. And even the best pool gates require regular maintenance to ensure they close properly. Complacency sets in, and parents often assume the fence will always be there to keep water safety for kids.
The only truly foolproof way to prevent drowning is to keep your child in sight at all times. There’s no substitute for direct supervision. If you can’t have your eyes on them, ensure they are in a secure, children’s water safety environment, such as inside the house or in a playpen where they can’t access water.
A teacher of swimming and water safety will always emphasize the importance of vigilance and proper supervision. They will also recommend reinforcing your home with water safety posters that remind everyone of the risks and necessary precautions.
The Distraction Epidemic: How Phones Are Risking Children’s Lives
We live in an age of constant distractions. Phones ring, text messages buzz, social media beckons – all while life is happening around us. I understand how easy it is to get pulled into these distractions, especially as a father of five. Juggling household tasks, attending to siblings, answering phone calls – these can all lead to moments where your focus shifts, even if just for a second.
But the reality is that a single distraction, a momentary lapse in attention, can have life-changing consequences. Water safety for kids is not something that allows for even a brief distraction. Drowning incidents can occur in mere seconds, and by the time you look back at your child, it could already be too late.
Near-Drowning: A Tragedy That Lingers
While death by drowning is a heartbreaking loss, the effects of near-drowning can be even more devastating in the long term. Near-drowning incidents can leave a child with severe brain damage, resulting in lifelong disabilities.
Parents who experience this kind of tragedy are left with the pain and guilt of knowing their child’s potential has been forever altered because of a momentary lapse in vigilance. This ongoing heartbreak serves as a daily reminder of how quickly things can go wrong.
High-Risk Situations
The danger of drowning and the fear of water – is especially high in unfamiliar environments. When you’re at a friend’s house, on vacation, or attending a party, water hazards may not be as apparent as they are at home. In these unfamiliar situations, it’s easy to let your guard down because you’re focused on socializing or simply navigating the new environment.
These moments can be particularly dangerous for children. You might not be fully aware of all the water hazards present in these new surroundings, making it even easier for a child to slip away unnoticed.
No Shortcuts to Water Safety for Kids: Constant Vigilance Is Essential
There’s no shortcut to keeping your child safe around water. There’s no substitute for your constant attention. Mobile phones and other distractions only increase the risk, especially when it comes to supervising young children near water.
To ensure water safety for kids, put down your phone. Keep them within your sight at all times, and be especially alert in unfamiliar surroundings where new water hazards might exist.
Safety in water should be every parent’s priority. As much as technology plays a part in our daily lives, it shouldn’t distract from the moments when your child’s life could be at risk. The consequences are too severe.
Protect Your Child Today
This message isn’t intended to scare you – it’s meant to wake you up to the very real dangers that exist when you’re distracted by your phone or other devices. All it takes is a few moments for a preventable tragedy to unfold. Children’s water safety depends on your attention, and there are no shortcuts to ensuring that safety.
So, the next time you’re near water, again:
PLEASE DON’T MOAN – PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE AND KEEP THEM IN SIGHT TO KEEP THEM ALIVE.
Please, share this message. It might just save a life.
– Chris Shapland