Message from NC Insurance Commissioner Water Safety

Posted in: Madison Park

A Message from the Insurance Commissioner

 

Hello, I’m Mike Causey, your North Carolina Insurance Commissioner with an important message for Memorial Day weekend. I urge all parents and children to play it cool in the water this summer.

 

On a hot day, nothing beats a splash in the pool or a visit to one of our many beaches in North Carolina. But it’s important to stay safe around water and know the signs of drowning. Drownings can happen in a matter of seconds.

 

According to Safe Kids NC, drowning is the second leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 14. It is the leading cause of unintentional death in children under the age of 4.

 

As the chair of Safe Kids North Carolina, I want parents and caregivers to keep both eyes on your children to avoid tragedies in the water.

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Water Safety Video from The North Carolina Department of Insurance

 

Please watch and share this Water Safety Video from The North Carolina Department of Insurance.

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Beaches will be crowded this Memorial Day weekend. Remember to pay attention to the warning flags at the beach that indicate the possibility of rip currents. A rip current’s force is strong enough to pull even the strongest swimmer out to sea.

 

If caught in a rip current, stay calm, don’t fight the current and escape the current by swimming in a direction parallel to the shoreline. If at any time you are unable to reach the shore, draw attention to yourself and call for help.

 

Most people believe a drowning person involves flailing arms or frantic calls for help, but that is not the case. Drowning happens quietly when a helpless person is unable to take a breath.

 

Safe Kids NC estimates 10% of parents watch their children drown because they don’t know what’s happening. Rescuers may have as few as 20 seconds to save a person from drowning.

 

Here are some reminders to parents and caregivers:

 

  • Always watch children and never leave them unattended.
  • Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings.
  • Always keep a charged phone nearby.
  • Know how to perform CPR on children and adults.
  • Understand the basics of lifesaving so you can assist in an emergency.
  • Install a fence at least four feet high around the perimeter of a pool or spa.
  • Use self-closing and self-latching gates.
  • Ensure all pools and spas have compliant drain covers. Install an alarm on the door leading from the house to the pool.

 

Thank you and stay safe,

Mike

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