Summer Fun in the Sun!

Schools out for summer, it’s hot, and everyone wants to get to the pool or beach for some fun. Kids love to jump in and splash, but are they safe? We all read about people, especially kids, drowning every year, and with current lifeguard shortages, parents need to do all they can to protect their children. According to SafeKids.org, “drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children between 1 and 4 years old. …and the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death amount children 19 and under.”

Because of the COVID 19 pandemic, there’s currently a shortage of lifeguards. Fewer lifesaving classes have been held and many certifications have expired. About one third of public pools have been affected by the shortage and there are some pools that simply don’t have lifeguards. Beaches are also understaffed, so parents need to be extra vigilant.

To ensure your families safety at the local pool or beach, learn and follow water safety guidelines provided by the Red Cross or Safekids.org and consider taking a basic swim class for you and your children. If you know how to swim well, read about teaching your children. Teaching your kids to swim and having them follow water safety rules can sometimes mean the difference between life and death

Search locally for swim classes. If you don’t swim yourself, learning will encourage your children to learn to swim. You can also help them develop skills if you have them. Be sure to point out and explain the local pool’s or beach’s safety rules. Teaching children general water safety skills can also help keep them safer. The Red Cross offers useful videos geared for you children of all ages. They teach children to swim in front of the lifeguard chair, not dive into pools or other swimming venues unless they know it’s safe to do so. Swim with a buddy

The first rule for parents is to never take your eyes off a child who can’t swim well. Even if they are wearing floaties, they can quickly get into trouble. Arm floats are great for kids with some basic swimming skills, but don’t rely on them to keep your child safe.

Use caution when choosing floatation aids and toys for your children. Don’t let children rely on free floating rafts or toys for safety. They can use them to get into water over their heads and then lose them, putting them at risk for drowning. Personal Floatation devices that children wear, like floating swimsuits, life vests, and back floats are safer options for non-swimmers. Make sure the device fits the child properly.

So, to sum up, take find a swimming class to ensure the safety of your family and learn about water safety. Make sure your children know the pool or beach rules where you swim. It’s great to have a great experience in the pool or at the beach this summer but let’s do it with safety in mind.

Remember, today’s decisions affect you and your family’s tomorrows.