We're in the heart of summer heat and that means heading to the water for a cool respite and some fun. That means we're also in the middle of drowning season in Florida. We see a spike in drowning deaths beginning in April and it remains elevated through September. Drowning deaths are not limited to lakes and rivers, pools and bath tubs also pose a danger. 

 

Seminole County has been one of the top 10 counties in the state for drowning deaths among children to age four until this past year. Through extensive educational campaigns by the Seminole County Health Department, we have dropped out of the top 10. 

 

Most drowning deaths occur in the pools in our own backyard because proper precautions are not taken by owners of pools to protect their children. Alarms on the doors, locks out of reach of the children and fencing around the pool itself are some of the safety features needed to keep our children away from danger. Also, with the recent spike in home foreclosures, it is imperative that we teach our children not to play around the pools of foreclosed homes. Many of these pools are dirty and children falling in may not be easily found.

 

Our own tubs are also an area of concern for drowning. One should never leave their child unattended in a tub, not even for a second. No phone call is as important as your child's life.

 

It is also important to teach children to stay away from ponds, retention ponds and any other body of water in the neighborhood. Not only does it pose the obvious drowning risk but it has other pollutants in it that may be harmful, not to mention gators.

 

Not only can lakes pose the obvious risk for drowning deaths but there is another possible danger to be aware of, Naegleria Fowleri also known as Amoeba. Parasites live in the sand and silt in the bottom of local lakes and possibly poorly maintained pools. They get kicked up when a person jumps into the lake and plays around in the water. These parasites may then enter through the nose when the swimmer is submerged and cause an infection. 

 

This infection causes a rare but life threatening disease called Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). Symptoms can start as quickly as 1 to 14 days after the initial infection. Symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and stiff neck.

 

This disease moves into the brain, and causes swelling which leads to confusion, lack of attention, loss of balance, seizures and hallucinations. This disease usually causes death within 3 to 7 days. If any of these symptoms occur it is imperative to see your physician and to let him or her know you have been in water for a quick treatment.

 

There is no sure way to protect yourself from infection by amoeba, except for staying out of the water, however, you may reduce the risk by closing your nostrils with your hand or clips when swimming, jumping or diving into freshwater.