6 Tips to Keep Your Young Children Safe Around Water Bodies This Summer
In hot and humid Georgia, activities that include water, like kid favorites splashing and swimming, can provide hours of cooling fun for families. Whether you're at the beach, a pool, or even in the backyard, implementing appropriate safety measures is essential to prevent accidents and keep your children safe in and around water.
See the 6 tips below to help you keep this summer’s safe and fun when around water:
Constant Supervision: The most critical aspect of water safety is providing constant supervision. Never leave your children unattended near water, not even for a moment. Young children can drown in just inches of water and accidents happen quickly, so always stay vigilant. Be sure that you or a responsible adult are actively watching over your children, maintaining a close distance, and remaining focused on them.
Teach Water Awareness and Basic Skills: It's important to teach young children about water safety and basic swimming skills. One of the best ways is to enroll them in age-appropriate swimming lessons conducted by qualified instructors. If swimming lessons are not part of your current budget, there are organizations such as the YMCA that provide lessons at no cost. The YMCA also has free Safety Around Water classes for members at some local centers. If you can’t find or afford a class, you can help your children become comfortable in the water by teaching them basic floating and kicking techniques, how to enter and exit the pool safely, and basic pool rules like no running. These skills will help build their confidence and improve their overall water awareness.\
Provide Adequate Floatation Devices: When your young child is in or near water, ensure they have appropriate floatation devices such as life jackets or floaties. These devices provide an extra layer of safety, especially if your child is not yet a proficient swimmer. However, always remember that floatation devices do not substitute supervision, and children should still be closely monitored.
Establish Water Rules: Set clear and concise water rules for your children to follow. Teach them to ask for permission before entering the water and give them clear instructions regarding where they are allowed to swim. Emphasize that they should not run near pools or other water bodies to minimize the risk of slips and falls, to limit pushing and shoving of other children, and to be respectful of other people enjoying the water. By establishing and reinforcing these rules consistently, you instill a sense of responsibility and safety consciousness in your child.
Secure Pool and Water Areas: If you have a pool or other water bodies at home, it is crucial to secure the area properly. Install sturdy fences with self-latching gates around pools to prevent unsupervised access. Remove toys and other temptations from the pool area when not in use to avoid attracting preschoolers towards the water. Cover pools with safety covers when not in use to prevent accidental falls.
Stay Informed about First Aid and CPR: Being knowledgeable in basic first aid and CPR techniques is essential for any parent or caregiver. However, knowing how to recognize and respond to potential drowning situations, perform rescue breathing, and administer CPR can be lifesaving skills.
More resources to increase your child’s safety around water:
