Swimming to cool off during the hot months of summer is par for the course for many children across the U.S. Unfortunately, summer fun can turn deadly when safety measures go unimplemented or ignored. The Safe Kids Coalition estimates that more than 830 children age 14 and younger die as a result of drowning each year. By teaching your kids to behave safely around water, and being a safe and observant parent, you can ensure that swimming remains a safe and enjoyable activity.
Adult Supervision
Children should never go swimming alone, no matter how experienced they are in the water. Even if your child has taken swimming lessons and is comfortable in a pool, a deadly injury can still occur. Keep your eyes on your children. If you have a child who doesn't know how to swim, make it a rule that he never goes more than an arm's length away from you while in the water. This ensures that you can quickly get to him should he go too deep or slip into the water.
Life Vests or Bust
Pool noodles, inner tubes and inflatable toys make for summer fun, but they are never substitutes for a U.S. Coast Guard Approved life vest. While inflatable pool toys can float and even keep a child's head above water, they are not meant as lifesaving devices. True life vests are made to save your child's life in danger. If your child doesn't know how to swim well, a life vest can help give you peace of mind. Similarly, a life vest can ensure that you child doesn't become cramped and immobile when swimming in open water.
Rough Housing
Never allow your children to rough house in the pool. While it may seem like innocent fun, a game of head dunking can become wildly out of control when one child doesn't realize the other cannot get air. Make clear and enforceable swimming rules with consequences that can and will be used when the rules are broken. It may seem harsh, but it's necessary for children to be safe while in the water.
Certification And Lessons
Giving your kids the tools to be safe in the water can help you relax when they're swimming. Register your children in swimming classes through your local Red Cross chapter. They won't only learn to swim, they'll also learn how to respect the water and act safely when swimming in pools and open water. As a parent, getting your first aid and CPR certification can give you the tools you need to react appropriately in the case of an emergency. Make sure your skills are up-to-date and well practiced.
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