School is out and we’re in full-on summer mode.
Kids are enjoying days full of fun at camp, neighborhood and backyard pools, area water parks, theme parks, and lakes, grandma’s – and vacations!
During these special summer times, the general rules of water safety still apply.
However, there are some things to consider while doing some of the things – including vacationing – to make sure that those around the water are as safe as they can be.
Kids who have been swimming year round have an advantage over those who have not because they’ve continuously worked on mastery of skills. Realize that children who haven’t been swimming in a while – perhaps since last summer – may have regressed in the skills they need to be safe while enjoying summer water fun.
Make sure you know where the deep and shallow areas of all swimming environments as well as all of the potential danger spots, and locations of all lifeguards.
Identify the areas where kids may and may not swim.
Choose an adult/parent water watcher. This person should be clear-headed (not under the influence of any substances) while assigned this task and know how to handle all potentially dangerous situations.
Rules for Open Water – Like Rivers, Lakes, or the Ocean
Natural bodies of water can be awesome fun and great places to learn about water and what lives in and around it. But these places are also where accidents and unfortunate things can happen. That is why safety is critical.
- Do not rely solely on lifeguards for kids’ safety. You need to be ready to react first if your child needs help. Ditto for water parks.
- Check the depth of the water before diving or jumping. A 9-foot minimum is the depth recommended by The American Red Cross. Check out unfamiliar water feet first the first time.
- Avoid rip currents. Make sure they know rip current safety tips (such as swimming parallel to the shore can help you escape rip currents).
- Use the visit as an opportunity for kids to learn about the plant and animal life that inhabits rivers, lakes, and oceans. Inform them about plant life, wildlife, and sea life that inhabits these natural habitats and what they should do if they encounter them. You’re in their homes when you’re enjoying rivers, lakes, and oceans and that must be respected.
- Kids should always wear a fitted properly sized life jacket on boats and around any open bodies of water, but don’t assume their safety can depend on the life jacket alone. Parental supervision is in order – regardless of the other safety measures taken.
The Rules for Hotels
If you’re staying at a hotel, never allow kids swim unsupervised or even to go to the hotel pool alone. An adult must always accompany them. Never assume that someone else is watching your child.
Hot Tub Hot Button
The hot tub is sort of a hot button for some folks like the CDC when it comes to kids. In fact, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) reports that kids under age 5 should not use hot tubs at all. It simply isn’t the place for them. Kids older than 5 also must be tall enough to stand in the middle of the hot tub with their head completely above water before being allowed to go into the hot tub. Adult supervision for any kids allowed to enter a hot tub is a must.
Kids overheat more quickly than adults so those who are old enough and tall enough to go in should only stay for 5 minutes at a time (especially when the tub is set at its max temperature of 104° F). Avoiding full body immersion (putting their head under water) can help to avoid overheating. (Overheating can lead to a racing heart, drowsiness, unconsciousness, heat stroke, or even death.) Kids (or anyone else, for that matter) should never get their heads close to drains.
Parents Can Take a Vacation – But Not From Watching Their Kids
Supervision is the key. Even on vacation, special events, and trips, and at unfamiliar places, parents must realize that their supervisory diligence is a must. This is definitely not a time to take the “it will never happen to us” attitude. Nothing is worth risking the safety of the kids in and around water of any type and vacation is no time to get lax with adult supervision. Part of enjoying the fun of water is taking on the responsibility of water and swim safety!
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