Presbyterian | Your Story | Centennial Care | Summer 2021

www.phs.org/centennialcare 7 Warmer weather means lots of things, including more time spent doing fun activities that involve water. But there’s a serious side to water to keep in mind. To help keep your family safe, here are some suggestions from the National Safety Council and the American Red Cross: • Enroll your children in an age- appropriate swim class. Make sure everyone in your family knows how to swim. • Never leave young children alone near water. Make a splash for water safety • Keep in mind that lifeguards aren’t babysitters. Always keep your eyes on your children. • Don’t let children play around drains and suction fittings in a pool. • Don’t underestimate the power of water. Even rivers and lakes can have undertows. • Swim in areas supervised by lifeguards. • Always swim with a buddy and don’t allow anyone to swim alone. • Do not enter the water headfirst unless you’re in a pool with a safe diving area. • Swim sober. Alcohol and water can be a deadly combination. • If you’re taking people out in a boat, make sure everyone in the boat wears a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. • Make sure the body of water matches your skill level. Swimming in a pool is much different than swimming in a lake or river. • Don’t push or jump on others when near or in water. • Don’t dive in unfamiliar areas. • When swimming in a lake or river, watch out for hazards like underwater obstacles, rocks, and debris. • Consider becoming trained in how to perform CPR. ● Dizziness or poor balance ● Nausea or vomiting ● Ringing in the ears ● Problems concentrating ● Sensitivity to light ● Loss of smell or taste ● Trouble sleeping ● Memory loss If any of these symptoms appear after a blow to the head, you should call your primary care provider right away. When a concussion is an emergency Seek immediate medical care for any of the following signs and symptoms: ● A headache that gets worse or doesn’t go away ● Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or poor coordination ● Significant nausea or continued vomiting ● Seizures ● Loss of consciousness ● An inability to wake up ● Symptoms that have worsened or not gone away after 10 to 14 days After a concussion, you may need to limit physical and mental activities for a while. Watch for worsening symptoms. Ask your provider about preventing a concussion. Additional source: American Academy of Pediatrics