In-home dangers are to blame for a third as many childhood drownings as pools. Bathtubs, sinks, and even the buckets you use for cleaning can be deadly for little kids.
The kids at Bright Beginnings Preschool in Crozet cool off with sprinklers on a hot summer day.
"They love it. It's so much fun and such a healthy way to cool off in the summer," said Bright Beginnings Founder Kathe Petchel.
Petchel picked the spray park over kiddie pools to reduce the risk of accidental drowning. "We really don't approve of wading pools at all," she stated.
That's because children can drown in less than two inches of water. The Consumer Product Safety Commission tracks those deaths. It reports an average of 115 kids under the age of five drown each year around the home in water hazards other than a pool.
Petchel explained, "Even be careful about buckets of water, toilets that are open…especially for toddlers when they're crawling around and exploring."
About two-thirds of those in-home drownings happen in the bathtub.
"You never leave a child unattended in the bathroom," stated Doctor Gemila Bouber with Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville.
A 5-gallon bucket can be one of the biggest drowning dangers for toddlers. They're strong and sturdy, so if a child falls in head-first, it's difficult for them to get out alive.
The commission recommends always keeping a child in arm's reach. Other tips include closing - or even locking - toilet lids, emptying all buckets and securing the covers to any spas or hot tubs.
Dr. Bouber explained, "You never want to leave even for a second, because those kids will go under and they just don't know what to do.
Back at the spray park, Petchel talks to preschoolers about staying away from water when an adult isn't around. She says vigilance can ensure a day of fun doesn't turn into a disaster, "Don't turn your back on them."
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the majority of those in-home drownings happen to children under the age of one. The commission has even issued a safety alert with additional tips to prevent in-home water accidents.
