Wednesday, June 3, 2026
As pools and beaches open, a few simple habits make summer safer
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, and it can happen quickly and quietly.
The good news is that it's also highly preventable.
Close "touch supervision" of little ones, four-sided pool fencing, and swim lessons when a child is ready are the steps experts say matter most.
For babies and toddlers in or near water, an adult should stay within arm's reach the whole time. Pick one adult as the designated watcher and rotate so no one gets distracted.
A fence that fully surrounds the pool, with a self-closing, self-latching gate, is one of the most effective ways to prevent young children from reaching the water alone.
The best defense against sunburn is covering up: lightweight long sleeves, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses. Add SPF 30+ sunscreen on exposed skin for kids over 6 months.
Kids overheat faster than adults. Offer water breaks every 20 minutes during active play, and ease up on intense activity when heat and humidity climb.
Nearly 1,900 measles cases have been reported across 38 states this year, mostly in unvaccinated children. The MMR vaccine remains the best protection before summer travel.
Early summer is the ideal window for proactive water-safety counseling. Build a quick layered-protection reminder into well-child and sick visits this month: touch supervision for under-5s, four-sided pool fencing, and swim-lesson readiness. A short, consistent message from the care team reinforces habits before peak swim season and pairs naturally with sun and heat safety guidance.
Source: AAP drowning prevention and water safety guidance
