Save yourself a lot of tears

I just got a reminder from Children's Hospital Central California that nine Valley children have died in the last month from drowning. Now that the weather is so warm and we are headed for 100-degree temperatures, it's time to focus ourselves on how perilously attractive water can be to kids. The families who have suffered the loss of a child would be the first ones to encourage everyone who's around children to take every precaution.

Children's Hospital provides drowning prevention education to hundreds of Valley pre-schoolers every year and surely that saves many lives. But still, there are tragedies in our canals, lakes and pools. Children even drown in toilets and mop buckets.

Mary Jo Quintero, Children's Hospital nurse and Water Safety Program coordinator, give these tips to families:

Drownproof the family
-- Maintain constant visual contact with children in or near the water. This includes swimming pools and bathtubs.
-- Designate an adult to supervise the water area. The supervising adult should not partake in any distracting activities while watching children.
-- Prevent children from having direct access to a swimming pool.
-- Store buckets upside down.
-- Keep toilet lids shut and use toilet locks if you have an infant or toddler in the house.
-- Adults and kids over age 13 should learn CPR.
-- Do not use air-filled toys in place of life jackets or life preservers with children. These give a false sense of security and increase the risk of drowning.

Teach children about water safety
-- Enroll children in swimming lessons as soon as they are ready.
-- Teach children to always swim with a buddy.
-- Never allow children to chew gum or eat while swimming, diving or playing in the water.

What to do in case of an emergency relating to children and water
-- Look in the water first if a child is missing.
-- Call 9-1-1
-- Administer CPR if necessary.