Summer undoubtedly comes with swimming or interaction with water of some sort. While water provides a great source of entertainment and fun for people of all ages it’s important to make sure you are taking water safety seriously. According to Safe Kids, Adams County, water safety is a lifelong endeavor and requires multiple safety measures. Safety measures include barriers, active supervision, water competency, life jackets, and emergency preparedness.
Having proper barriers in place to secure pools and water areas is the first step in preventing a water safety incident. Be vigilant about maintaining these barriers, and make sure everyone around you understands the importance and purpose of the barriers. You should also be mindful of any city or county ordinances that come with ownership of a pool.
Active supervision can be a challenge when there are so many things going on around you but it’s important not to grow content or overestimate the ability of others to keep an eye on your children in or near water. We’ve all read several stories of people drowning in a pool full of people or children quietly falling in when someone’s back is turned. Don’t get caught up in the mentality that it won’t happen to you or your loved ones because we all know how quickly accidents happen. Be intentional and communicate openly with the other adults present about supervision expectations. Take turns taking point on supervising or being the “water watcher” or divide the area into zones to make it more manageable.
Water competency is another important aspect of water safety. Water is a beautiful thing, but it can also be very powerful and should be respected. Understanding the power of water can set a precedent for staying alert and aware of your surroundings. It’s also never too early or too late to engage in swimming lessons. According to the National Institutes of Health, formal swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent, and children between the ages of 1 and 4 have the highest drowning rates, which occur mostly in home swimming pools.
Wearing a life jacket may sound simple, but often this precaution is overlooked. Wearing a life jacket can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 80 percent, however according to the U.S. Coastguard 84 percent of people who drowned in the year 2018 were not wearing a life jacket. Be proactive about making sure everybody in your family has the proper lifejacket needed and knows where to find it and how to put it on if able to do so independently.
Finally make sure to be prepared for a water emergency. Know what to do in the event of a water emergency and know what to do if you see someone in distress in the water. Discuss water safety and what to do often with those you spend time with around water. You won’t ever have regards about being too prepared, only the opposite.
Submitted by Allison Housewright