Water Safety Is Important
We live in a beautiful community that is surrounded by water. Having fun in the water is wonderful, but it’s important to know how to be safe. Scroll down to learn important and life-saving water safety tips!
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning
The captain jumped from the deck, fully dressed, and sprinted through the water. He was a former lifeguard, and he knew what to do: He headed straight for a couple swimming between their anchored sportfish and the beach.
“I think he thinks you’re drowning,” the husband told his wife. They had been splashing each other, and she had screamed, but now they were just standing on a sandbar.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE
Water Safety Resources
American Red Cross
1. Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
2. Always swim with a buddy.
3. If you go boating, wear a life jacket.
4. Install and use barriers around your home pool or hot tub.
5. Actively supervise children whenever around the water.
6. Always stay within arm’s reach of young children and avoid distractions.
7. Reach or throw aid to distressed swimmers - don’t go!
8. Keep toys in use away from the pool and out of sight.
CLICK HERE TO FIND ADDITIONAL WATER SAFETY TIPS FROM THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
Safe Kids Worldwide
Did you know?
Drowning is silent. There can be very little splashing, waving, or screaming.
Watching your child in the water is your responsibility. A lifeguard’s job is to enforce rules, scan, rescue, and resuscitate.
Drowning is quick. Once a child begins to struggle, you may have less than a minute to react.
Swim lessons are essential, but skill level varies. Many children who drowned in pools reportedly knew how to swim.
Make sure kids learn how to swim and develop these five water survival skills:
1. Step or jump into water over his/her head and return to the surface.
2. Float or tread water for one minute.
3. Turn around in a full circle and find an exit from the water.
4. Swim 25 yards to the exit.
5. Exit from the water without using the ladder.
CLICK HERE TO FIND ADDITIONAL WATER SAFETY INFORMATION FROM SAFE KIDS WORLDWIDE
National Drowning Prevention Alliance
Water safety isn’t just at swim time. Each layer should be used together when in or around water to help reduce the risk of drowning.
1. Barriers and Alarms: It is important to use four-sided fencing with self-closing, self-latching gates, pool safety covers, and alarm systems to help prevent children and unauthorized adults from accessing water unsupervised.
2. Supervision: Stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings with close, constant, and capable adult supervision from a designated water watcher or lifeguard anytime children are in or around water.
3. Water Competency: Every child and adult should be equipped with the skills to protect themselves in water by learning and enhancing their basic water safety skills to reduce the risk of drowning and aquatic-related injuries.
4. Life Jackets: When used appropriately, life jackets protect you when you are not expecting to be in the water; especially around natural water. Ensure your life jackets are tested and approved by the US Coast Guard.
5. Emergency Preparation: Being prepared for an emergency with CPS, with rescue breaths, and with basic water rescue skills can make the difference between life and death. Know the address and be ready to call 911.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE WATER SAFETY INFORMATION FROM THE NATIONAL DROWNING PREVENTION ALLIANCE