The weather here on Long Island has been beautiful and I am sure most of you are enjoying your spare time in the sun and the water. We know its tempting to just jump in the water without thinking SAFETY FIRST so we would like to take this time to remind you of some important water safety tips while you enjoy the rest of your summer.
General Water Safety Tips
- Teach children water safety and swimming skills as early as possible.
- Always swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
- Avoid swimming alone even at a public pool or beach. The buddy system is safest!
- Teach your children to always ask permission of the adult in charge to go near or in water. Even with a lifeguard present it is best to stay within arm’s reach of young children and avoid distractions when supervising children in or around water.
- If a child goes missing, check the water first. Don’t think you’ll hear a child who’s in trouble in the water. A child drowning is a silent death, with no splashing to alert anyone that the child is in trouble.
- Use only U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for young children or those who cannot swim well but do not rely on life jackets alone for safety. Flotation devices are not a substitute for supervision.
- Know the conditions of natural bodies of water including ocean shoreline, rivers and lakes. Cold temperatures, strong currents and underwater hazards can make a fall into these bodies of water dangerous.
- Always wear a life jacket when boating. Most boating fatalities occur from drowning.
- Avoid alcohol use while in or near water. Alcohol can impair your judgment, balance and coordination, can affect swimming and diving skills and can reduce the body’s ability to stay warm.
- Watch that sun! Water reflects the sun’s rays so be sure to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more and reapply frequently, especially after going into the water. If you happen to get too much sun, check out our sunburn post for some relief.
Be prepared for a water emergency
- Find a local class to learn to how to perform CPR on both children and adults, and update those skills regularly.
- Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist in a pool emergency.
- Familiarize yourself with the silent signs of drowning even when a lifeguard is on duty. When it comes to drowning, every second counts.
We hope you all have a wonderful, safe summer!
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These are really great tips. My kids love to swim.
These are great tips. I always worry when my kids are around water without my supervision. They know how to swim but accidents can happen.
I am a like a hawk with my kids. These are great tips.
Definitely something to teach the kids! Every year we hear of another kid that drowns and most of the time it is something that could have been prevented with a little water safety.
Great tips! We have a pool and have many of these put into place.
These are definitely some great tips. I have heard too many stories about kids and water that have ended badly this year.
When my husband and I went house hunting and when we initially saw our house, I was apprehensive of the pool. It has definitely been a priority to teach everyone to swim and to obey the rules.
These are all such great tips. You can never be too careful when it comes to kids.
Water safety is so important! I love kids being in the water- but it’s key to know the dangers.
My son nearly drowned from a life jacket flipping him onto his belly. The best method with kids is to watch them like a hawk!!!
Great tips… My kids have been taking lessons since age two. Now my son and older daughter are prominent swimmers who actually race and my youngest, age three is getting there. They totally know how to get out of the pool on their own, how to roll to their back when they are out of breath, and how to swim to the side. It is so scary, still… ha
These are great tips. It amazes me when I see people boating and kids with no life jackets.
We have a backyard pool and I’m always eagle-eyed when the kids are in there. Just can’t be too careful!!
These are great tips! I think being in the water is so important, but safety is key in keeping it fun!
I think with water play it’s especially important to make sure the sunscreen applications are done regularly. Vigilant watching is so important too.
I really do try to watch my kids like a hawk when they are in the water.
The local class for CPR is a great idea, we have classes at work and I take one each time they have it.