Water Safety Tips
According to the Red Cross, children under age 5 and young adults from 15 to 24 have the highest rates of drowning. Most young children who drown do so in home pools, but there are many other kinds of water environments in and around your home. As frightening as the risk of drowning is, it can usually be prevented. Regardless of where you are swimming and what activities you may be involved in, you can follow simple guidelines to reduce the risk of drowning.
One of the best things anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. One of YardSwim's missions is to teach swimming lessons in the area where most preventable water related accidents may occur. Our idea of water safety involves not only a healthy understanding of the risks that accompany water but also supervised exposure to it. Through repetition in an interactive environment, children can “soak up” good water safety habits and become as comfortable in water as they are on dry land.
2. Never leave children unattended.
No matter what the age of your child is there is no such thing as a "water proof" or "drown proof" child. All children are at risk when in and around water. To learn more about water safety and drowning prevention visit the National Drowning Prevention Alliance website.
3. Keep doors locked and pools safely covered and fenced.
Pool safety covers and fences are a great way to help keep children safe but they are not stopping mechanisms. Instead they are only deterents. Just like locked doors and safety alarms, pool safety covers and fences are only obstacles. Most families become too secure with the idea that pool safety covers and fences will stop their children from entering the pool unsupervised. Be sure not to fall under this false sence of security.
4. Keep the pool area tidy and clean.
Prevent accidents such as slipping and falling by keeping the deck and area around the pool safe and clear. The sides of the pool should be easy to reach for children and adults already in the water. Keep foliage and objects away from the pool so that the water can be supervised more easily.
5. Remove all floating objects from the pool.
Clean up toys. "Out of sight, out of mind". If a toy is not visible then a child is less likely to think about it or want to retrieve it. Toys that are floating on top of the water can draw a child's attention very easily.
6. Maintain the water in the pool so as to prevent unhealthy and unwanted illnesses so remember if its green, it isn't clean.
Pool water should be clear. If you cannot see the bottom of the pool or you or not sure if the pool water is clean enough to swim in then DO NOT go swimming.
7. Keep your cell phone with you.
In case there is a phone call or you need to contact someone then you do not have to leave the pool unsupervised.
8. Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool.
Try not to get in a pool with someone who is panicked and in trouble. They can grab onto you and prevent you from staying afloat. Try to always keep poles, lifesaving rope, and a lifesaving flotation device (not a kickboard) on hand just in case someone needs your help.
9. Better to always have a CPR certified person/adult onsite to help in case of emergency.
Are you CPR certified?As an authorized provider for the American Red Cross we can help you become certified in CPR. Help to better prepare your family in case of a disaster by taking disaster preparedness classes such as Adult, Child, and Infant CPR. Not only do we bring "the swim school to your pool" but we also can come to your location of convenience to teach you, your family, and your friends CPR. Please contact us for more information.
