With beaches and swimming pools opening back up, now is a great time to “waterproof” as we head into summer.
When temperatures rise, kids will find any water source to cool off – home pools, ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, or oceans. And that means the risk of drowning is as prevalent as ever.
ABC 10News Anchor, Jim Patton recently spoke with JoJo Pope Aquatics Director, YMCA talk about how you and your kids can be safe and enjoy the water.
What are some simple tips to keep children safe?
We encourage families to practice three things:
· Know how to swim for every member of your family
· Provide layers of protection before entering any water
· Know what to do in the event of an emergency
“Parent supervision is the most important thing we can do. Put away all those distractions, cellphones and books and watch your kids and family members while they’re in and around water”, advised JoJo Pope.
Is beach safety any different than pool safety?
Water is water, and they’re both dangerous if not correctly supervised. The beach has hidden dangers like rip currents and waves which can catch swimmers unaware. Again, supervision is most important to keeping your child safe.
Not everyone learns to swim as a kid. Are you ever too old to learn to swim?
It’s never too late to become water safe and savvy. Enroll non-swimmers in swimming lessons taught by a qualified instructor. Pediatricians recommend that children ages 5 and older learn how to swim.
Some other simple tips for keeping your family “waterproof” are:
- Knowing how to swim does not make a child drown-proof. Flotation devices are not a substitute for supervision.
- Keep poolside rescue equipment close to the pool area.
- Remove toys from around the pool when they are not in use.
- Instruct babysitters and visitors about the "rules of the pool."
To learn more about the Y’s Safety Around Water and Y Swim Lessons program, visit www.ymca.net/watersafety.
