Tips For Water Safety
July 29, 2022
Swimming during the hotter months is a great way to have some fun and beat the heat, but unfortunately, swimming pools and bodies of water are responsible for hundreds of child drownings every year. Even when using a life jacket, children should always be supervised by an adult trained to react in different situations. Whether swimming in a pool, a lake, or the ocean, it is always important to communicate with your child about tips for water safety.
Tips For Water Safety
Holly Springs Pediatrics wants to ensure that all parents are educated on how to make water safety a priority. According to the American Red Cross, water competency has three components, water smarts, swimming skills, and helping others. Water smarts include knowing your limits, never swimming alone, and understanding the unique risks of the water environment you are in.
Enter The Water Feet-First
At the very least, everyone who enters a pool or body of water should be aware of the depth before getting in or how quickly the water deepens. In a pool environment, first identify which side is the shallow side and the deep side. Then, use the poolside steps to enter the water. Additionally, it is highly discouraged to dive at any depth due to the possible risks associated. In open water environments, it is essential to have an eye on your child at all times to watch how deep they go.
Swim Lessons Save Lives
If you and your child are often near water, it is recommended to sign them up for basic swim lessons. Learning how to tread water or float face up can keep your child safely above water for long periods of time. Not only can swimming lessons save lives, but they offer additional benefits such as physical exercise, social development, and lifelong skills. Children can start swimming lessons on their own as young as one-year-old. Some places offer parent-child swim lessons where your child can receive lessons as young as six months old.
Wear A Life Jacket When Suitable
Children and inexperienced swimmers should always wear a life jacket when in the water. Children should wear a life jacket even when near a pool, open body of water, and especially when on a boat. Using trustworthy life jackets with a United States Coast Guard stamp of approval is always recommended. And remember, life jackets are not an excuse to ignore other water safety rules.
Swim Parallel To Shore
When swimming in an open body of water, it is important never to try and beat the current, but instead swim parallel to the shore. NDPA.org suggests most rip currents are roughly 100 feet wide, and keeping a relaxed composure, breathing, and trying to keep your head above water are all helpful to get out of the situation. Swimming against the current causes fatigue and can worsen the situation.
Assure There Is Always Supervision
No matter what age, ensuring you are accompanied in one way or another while swimming is always a beneficial idea. When with your children at public pools, oceans, or lakes, swimming in lifeguarded places only is highly recommended. In addition, having a plan for emergencies or a list of emergency contacts can be invaluable in a crisis. Providing close and constant attention to children in water can save a life.
Holly Springs Pediatrics is committed to providing quality care to your kids at all times on a wide array of subjects. Do you have more questions on how to keep your child safe during the warmer months and in the presence of water? Call our Holly Springs, NC pediatric office at (919) 249-4700 to schedule an appointment or talk to a staff member.