Keep an eye on the littlest kids

Water and children have proved a deadly combination this summer in Wichita, most recently in the case of a 2-year-old who died after apparently wandering away from his home Saturday and falling into the Arkansas River. Early this month, a 3-year-old girl died in a 3-foot-deep backyard pool. As heartbreaking as every such story is for the community, of course, the pain is incalculable for the families involved.
Ensuring that a child knows how to swim — well — is the best way to avoid such tragedies; pool alarms and security fences can save lives. The goal of the Midway Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross to “have someone in every household be trained in CPR” is excellent, too. But the surest safety precaution is at least one set of adult eyes on a young child at all times.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

10 Comments

  1. fred
    Posted July 17, 2007 at 8:07 am | Permalink

    But that would take parents being responsible for their kids. In today’s society, there are very few well-behaved children. If you doubt that, go to any store, mall or public place on any given day and you will see multitudes of children running rampant while their parents are not caring.

    or when parents drop their kids off at the mall for the day. The mall is not your babysitter.

    Our country is full of people who do not take responsibility for their actions. But why should they – our political leaders and some church leaders do the very same thing. Do as I say and not as I do – that is their mantra.

  2. Ben
    Posted July 17, 2007 at 9:01 am | Permalink

    Even parents who ARE responsible can lose track of a child for a moment. This is especially true if you have multiple kids. They are so full of energy; so fast.

    So, to anyone with small children I advise try your best to watch like a hawk. To all of us, keep an eye out for the munchkins. They are precious.

  3. Rob
    Posted July 17, 2007 at 9:18 am | Permalink

    Why is it that EVERY single article that comes in here has to be an opportunity for people to attack the church and our leaders? This is pathetic. This story has nothing to do with church or our leaders. Stop the hate…

  4. Julie
    Posted July 17, 2007 at 12:45 pm | Permalink

    I get funny looks in the mall or in crowds but my 4 year old wears a backpack that has a “tail” that is actually a leash. She’s run off too many times because she sees something and I don’t want to lose her or have something bad happen.

  5. Ben
    Posted July 17, 2007 at 4:38 pm | Permalink

    Julie – good idea. I know a lot of people really get down on ‘leashes’ but considering the alternatives sometimes …

  6. Mary Caruso
    Posted July 18, 2007 at 9:40 am | Permalink

    I know this will get me in trouble, but it seems like most of these things happen when the dad is in charge. Through a million years of evolution, men have not been hardwired to care for children, and often they “forget”. Women are guilty of this too, but not as much as men it seems. I never trusted my husband to watch our kids when they were really young. I’m not sure why, it just seemed instinctual to me. He’s a great guy, but I would never trust him to care for a small child. Just like I can’t trust him to really clean a bathroom or ask for directions when he’s lost.Sorry guys, but it’s just how I feel.

  7. Ben
    Posted July 18, 2007 at 9:44 am | Permalink

    Mary, there may be some truth to that but I know couples where I have much more faith in Dad than I do in Mom to watch the munchkins.

    Even though the guy involved STILL “can’t trust him to really clean a bathroom or ask for directions when he’s lost”!

    ;^)

  8. SolDevVB
    Posted July 18, 2007 at 9:55 am | Permalink

    Sad fact of the matter. In most cases, neither parent is responsible – as far as kids go. I have been exposed over and over again to parents who can barely be called babysitters. Their kids run rampant and with no retribution. Even when in someone else’s home, there is a complete lack of respect for the parents, hosts, or hosts’ home. What is that teaching this generation?

  9. JavaCPR
    Posted July 18, 2007 at 3:51 pm | Permalink

    Hi,I am a mom who saved a life.Follow is a link of my “CPR story”.

    I will appreciate if you can spare a few minutes to read it give me your feedback (on-line as a comment to encourage others).

    http://cpr4children.blogspot.com/

    And of course forward it to as many people you think it may be relevant.

    Thanks,

    CPR can save lives, see http://cpr4children.blogspot.com/

  10. Mary Caruso
    Posted July 19, 2007 at 9:05 pm | Permalink

    Good job, Java…It’s important for everyone to know CPR. You never know when these things will happen, but they happen all the time. Parents especially need to know how to do CPR and first aid.