As the summer sun primes the skies for the festivities of the Fourth of July, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey urges the citizens of North Carolina to elevate the discourse on water safety, particularly for the young ones among us. According to the North Carolina Department of Insurance, drowning is not only a silent peril but also the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 in the United States, as per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data. Over 4,500 drowning deaths were recorded annually in the past few years, marking a grim increase from previous statistics.
Commissioner Causey, in awareness of the gravity, spoke to the dangers that lurk beneath the deceiving calm of waters. "North Carolina's beaches, lakes, and pools will be crowded as we head toward the Fourth of July holiday," he said. With a nod to the deceptive power of water, he continued, informing that "a rip current’s force is strong enough to pull even the strongest swimmer out to sea." He advised being wary of the warning flags at the beaches to detect rip currents which can betray even the most experienced swimmers, as per the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
For those who might find themselves caught unexpectedly in the grip of a rip current, the commissioner laid out survival protocols that entail staying calm, not fighting against the current, and swimming parallel to the shoreline to escape. And if you find the shore elusive, to draw attention and call for help was his counsel. The signs of drowning, often misunderstood, involve the quiet struggle for air—not the dramatic flailing portrayed in popular media.
Commissioner Causey doled out further wisdom for ensuring safety amidst aquatic revelry. Tips include the vigilant supervision of children, keeping them clear of pool drains and openings, and maintaining immediate access to a charged phone. Additionally, he stresses the necessity of knowing CPR for both children and adults, and understanding basic lifesaving techniques, should you find yourself in an emergency. "Most people believe a drowning person involves flailing arms or frantic calls for help, but that is not the case," said Commissioner Causey. It is essential to prevent drowning effectively happens quietly when a person is unable to take a breath, as detailed by the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
Commissioner Causey rounded out his safety sermon with a call for physical barriers and proactive measures including the installation of fences at least four feet high around pools, the use of self-closing and self-latching gates, and ensuring all pools and spas have compliant drain covers. For those entrusting their safety to a structure, he advises the installation of an alarm on the door leading from the house to the pool.
As North Carolinians prepare for Independence Day celebrations, these water safety tips are not just gentle reminders but potentially life-saving mantras.
