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Warm weather is here, and that means the water is calling! Pool pro or not, brushing up on water safety guidelines is a smart way for your family to start the summer; chances are good you’ll be spending a lot of it near water. Check out this quick safe swimming refresher course before you and your family dive into water activities.
Safe Swimming
- Learn to swim. Even basic swimming skills can provide a measure of safety.
- Inexperienced swimmers and children should use an approved flotation device.
- Never allow a child near a pool alone. Keep your eyes on your swimming child at all times.
- Choose pools or beaches monitored by a lifeguard, and obey safety signs and posted rules.
- Know the condition of the water you’re swimming in and its environment, especially lakes, ponds, and oceans. Know depth, wave conditions, and potential hazards before you swim.
- Establish family rules of water safety which should be followed even at a friend’s house.
- Don’t swim alone, and make sure you stay within a safe distance of land or friends should you need help.
- Even experienced swimmers can overdo it; don’t swim if you feel fatigued or ill.
Water Safety: More Than Swimming
The American Red Cross provides a wealth of excellent water safety guidelines specific to each water activity you’ll be enjoying this summer. Safe swimming guidelines will provide basic protection for most water activities, but it’s important you know the rules and guidelines for other water recreation. Days on the beach? Afternoons on the boat? Testing out new jet skis? Know how to stay safe while you have fun.
