Keeping Kids Safe – Open Water Safety Tips
It’s May, which means the temperatures are rising, the sun is (usually) shining, and water activities are ramping up. From now until Labor Day – or longer, depending on where you live – families will flock to water as a means of cooling off while enjoying the summer. Whether it is a backyard or neighborhood pool, a nearby lake or river, or the miles of ocean beaches, there is just something about water that makes summer more fun.
Kids love water too. Just go to your local pool to see them jumping and squealing and rushing into the water. Unfortunately, this love for water is not often accompanied by a healthy respect for the dangers that water presents.
May is National Water Safety Month. There is a significant amount of outreach and public awareness efforts that go out to help educate parents about water safety. And yet, despite all of this, each summer there are reports of children drowning. It is heartbreaking, and so preventable. Two summers ago I wrote a blog article about drowning prevention, which is still very applicable. Today, however, we are going to focus particularly on open water safety.
Open water risks
Pools
Time spent in pools is probably the most common water exposure in children of all ages. While not a natural water source, I still consider this an “open water” source because it is a larger amount of water than is found in bathtubs and kiddie pools. Children must be watched at all times in and around pools, even if they are not actively swimming or engaged in water activities. Young children fall into pools unexpectedly, and can drown very quickly. Do not allow yourself to become distracted while your child is in or around a pool, but keep a close eye on him or her at all times.
Lakes/Rivers
Time spent in these natural forms of water can be spent on boats, on the shore, on kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats, in inner tubes, and simply swimming in the water. Each time your child is in natural water they should be wearing a US Coast Guard approved life vest. Swimming in natural water is different than swimming in a pool – natural water sources can be deep and have currents. There can be underwater obstacles and dangers that may injury or trap swimmers.
May 21-27 is National Safe Boating Week. If you have a boat, it is important to follow safety protocols to keep passengers safe! Learn more here
Ocean
Time spent in the ocean carries its own set of cautionary measures. Children must be watched closely, as waves can easily knock down toddlers and older children, leading disorientation underwater and drowning risk. Tides and currents can affect swimmers of all ages, so pay attention to posted warning signs. Never swim or allow your child to swim when red flags are posted on the beach.
Checklist for safety
- WATCH your child closely.
- TEACH your child to swim.
- USE designated swimming areas only in natural water sources.
- WEAR a life vest.
- LEARN rescue skills and CPR.
Final thoughts
Kids love water. Many wonderful childhood memories are made in and around water, during summertime and on vacations near and far. Open water sources are some of the most fun ways to experience water, but they must be approached with a certain level of caution. Monitor your child closely at all times, make sure swimming skills are up to date, use life vests appropriately. It is completely possible to have lots of fun but stay safe at the same time, so jump in and enjoy!
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