Summer Drowning Prevention/Water Safety

Summer has started which means it’s time for the kids to hit the pool.  With swimming being the most popular summer activity, it is important for parents to keep a close eye on their children during pool time.  

Some helpful tips to keep in mind for promoting water safety include:

• Actively supervise kids whenever around the water—even if lifeguards are present.
• Do not just drop your kids off at the public pool or leave them at the beach—designate a responsible adult to supervise, always stay within arm’s reach of young children and avoid distractions when supervising children around water.  
• Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
• Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone. Even at a public pool or a life-guarded beach, use the buddy system!
• Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well.
• Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
• Establish rules for your family and enforce them without fail. For example, set limits based on each person’s ability, do not let anyone play around drains and suction fittings, and do not allow swimmers to hyperventilate before swimming under water or have breath-holding contests.

Feel free to ask your swim instructor or any office staff member at your local Waterworks Aquatics for more tips and advice! Always remember to make water safety a priority!