Summer is meant to be spent outdoors. If you’re planning to cool down at a local beach, swimming pool or backyard pool, we’ve identified a few basic swimming safety tips for you to enjoy your time in the sun…and water!
Summer is right around the corner. Summer is almost synonymous with vacations, days on the beach BBQs and sun tans. During the summer, temperatures can get as high as 90°F making finding ways to cool down more of a necessity. A lot of families will be heading out to the beach, swimming pools and waterparks in an attempt to cool down from the heat. While swimming is a great recreational activity, being safe in the water is even more important. Children are easily perceptible to drowning in pools, and this risk increases tenfold in open water. If you’re headed to the pool or beach this summer (or if you have a pool in your backyard) then check out these swimming safety tips for you and your kids.
Be vigilant – all the time
Around pools and open bodies of water, give kids your undivided attention. It might seem like a lot but it’s way too easy for things to go south in seconds. If you can’t keep a close eye ensure there are other adults who might be able to keep an eye on them as well. If your kid needs to go out of eyesight, ensure you know who they are with at all times. It helps to go to a reputable pool with a lifeguard on duty, or a beach that doesn’t have as high a tide/current. Children should be taught to ask permission before entering the water. As a safety precaution, you can equip your child with a life jacket to allow them to enjoy the water without fear.
Teach Your Kids These 5 Essential Swimming Survival Tips
Whether your kids know how to swim or not, SafeKidsWorldwide has identified 5 things that your kids should be able to do in water. Ensure that you kids are able to:
- step or jump into water over their heads (deeper than their height) and return to the surface;
- float or tread water for one minute;
- turn around in a full circle and find an exit;
- swim 25 yards to exit the water; and
- exit the water. In a pool, your child should be able to exit without using the ladder.
Children should also know the difference between swimming in a pool and open water, as open water can be far more dangerous. When in open water, your child should look out for uneven surfaces, sharp rocks, river currents, ocean undertow and changing weather.
As the Adult, Learn CPR
Prevention is better than a cure, but we should nevertheless be prepared to handle unfortunate situations. CPR is an essential life skill that benefits you both at the pool and elsewhere. CPR classes are easy to find and affordable. You should also know basic water rescue skills. The American Red Cross and other local organizations offer basic water rescue courses that are open to the public. This is a great skill to have, especially if you plan on swimming somewhere without a lifeguard.
Teach Your Kids How To Swim
Learning how to swim is a foolproof life skill that your child will always thank you for. The younger they learn, the better. If you’re in the Charlotte area, here are some places you can take your kids for swim lessons (this list has conveniently been sorted by price).
Don’t be overwhelmed, there’s no guarantee that something bad will happen, it just helps to be prepared as preparation can help save a life. Here at Walker’s Drug Store, we want you to enjoy your summer, but in the safest ways possible. Whether you’re going out for a swim, on a picnic, to an amusement park or elsewhere, remember to be safe. Stay hydrated, especially when you’re in the sun and come down to our store for all of your summer essentials, from sunscreen and multivitamins to coolers and umbrellas.