Keeping Families Safe on the Water

[PEEK05]

By Dawn Johnson

With summer just around the corner and more people heading to the water, it’s important to start thinking about safety.

Tragically, drowning is the second most common cause of accidental death among children, according to the Center for Disease Control. And most drownings happen this time of year. When the outdoor temperatures climb, even the most novice swimmers can be tempted to take a cool dip in a lake, river or swimming pool. It’s important for teens and young adults to know their limits and never swim alone. Parents of young children need to be extra vigilant around water. Never let them out of your sight! It only takes a few seconds for a child to drown. Drowning victims can rarely call for help as they struggle.

Here are some more tips to help keep your children safe around water:

•Start swimming lessons once your child reaches the age of 4 – typically the earliest age when they are likely to practice and retain information

•Use fences and other barriers to keep kids away from pools when you’re not around

•Teach kids to stay away from pool and hot tub drains

•Don’t let kids dive into water that is less than 9 feet deep

•Use life jackets when in or near open bodies of water

•Actively watch children when they are swimming.  Don’t leave, not even for a minute

•Teach kids to never swim alone

[njmomof3]

I think teaching kids to swim early is key!  4 is not young enough, though.  I had all 3 of my kids swimming by the age of 2.  

[PEEK05]

Yeah we do infant/toddler swim lessons, not to teach them to swim but to get them used to large bodies of water and "dunk" them. Our swim lessons here without a parent starts at the age of 3.

Quoting njmomof3:

I think teaching kids to swim early is key!  4 is not young enough, though.  I had all 3 of my kids swimming by the age of 2.  

[fineyouguyswin]

I agree kids knowing how to swim young is the best the younger the better

[CrazedMomof2]

Thanks for sharing!

[nngmommy83]

These are good tips, both my kids started swim lessons at age 18 months to get them accustomed to being in water

[nngmommy83]

We did the same and our city has a similar program as the one your talking about. You can also do private lessons here too.

Quoting PEEK05:

Yeah we do infant/toddler swim lessons, not to teach them to swim but to get them used to large bodies of water and "dunk" them. Our swim lessons here without a parent starts at the age of 3.

Quoting njmomof3:

I think teaching kids to swim early is key!  4 is not young enough, though.  I had all 3 of my kids swimming by the age of 2.  

[itsallabtthem84]

TFS!