Every Kid Needs a Designated Buddy is a campaign that was started in Mariposa as a public awareness program to remind parents and caregivers of how quickly young children can get out of sight, get lost, or drown.
It was started as a safety and drowning prevention program after some toddler
drownings.
It is a collaborative effort of the Mariposa Co Dept of Human Services, The Sheriff’s Office, Child Death Review Team and the Merced-Mariposa Chapter of the American Red Cross. We are very appreciative to the Red Cross for lending their name and credibility. It is also supported by a grant from the First 5 Commission and is endorsed by our Mariposa Co Board of Supervisors. We are very appreciative, of course, to all who have contributed to and supported the program.
It is a reminder….that children get out of sight quickly, before we know it. We recommend designating someone – a responsible person to watch children around water and other hazards, in crowds at amusement parks, and in shopping malls.
Direct line of sight supervision is the key to child safety. 70% of preschool drownings are in the care of one or both parents. 86% have some sort of supervision. Momentary lapses of supervision are when drowning happens.
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 and 2. In California it is the leading cause of death for children under 5. Nationwide it ranks #2. A child can drown in the time it takes to answer the phone.
Designated is a term that has already caught on. Buddy is a popular concept for safety. Combine the two and target young children. Designate a Buddy to watch young children at family outings and gatherings. Again, why? Because over and over parents and caregivers report that they thought someone else was watching the child.
75% of swimming pool deaths are between the ages of 1 and 3. 65% are in the family pool. The toddler that drowns in a pool is not seen slipping into the pool and they make no noise. They don’t splash and call for help. They drown without a sound.
It takes only a small amount of water for an infant to drown. An infant, face down in a bathtub, can have its mouth and nose covered. A toddler is top heavy. A toddler can drown in a 5 gallon bucket. If he leans over into a bucket, he can’t get up.
Emersion for 10 minutes is optimistic, longer than that is cautious...
Immediate CPR can make the difference.
We encourage people to learn CPR. It could save a life!
A Designated Buddy is a responsible person assigned to watch young children.
Direct line of sight supervision keeps children safe. Assign a Designated Buddy to watch young children around water and other hazards, at family gatherings and campouts, where the grown ups are visiting and think someone else is watching the child.
It doesn’t take much water for an infant to drown. One inch of water can cover its nose and mouth if it is face down in a bathtub.
Assign a Designated Buddy in crowds, amusement parks, shopping malls. Remember direct line of sight supervision is the key to child safety. 10 minutes emersion is optimistic, more than that cautious, Immediate CPR can make the difference. Contact your local Red Cross and learn CPR. It could save a life!
65% of preschool drownings are in the family pool, 33% in that of friends and neighbors. In California Drowning is the #1 Cause of death for children under 5. Nationwide it is #2. In 10 states it is the leading cause of death for children under the age of 14.
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