Child Water Safety
Always have an adult supervising children swimming. The adult should be poolside and observing the children in the pool. The adult should not be on the phone, or otherwise distracted. The adult should maintain observance of the children at all times when the children are in the pool.
Having a phone poolside is helpful if there is an emergency. The observing adult can call 911 in the event of an emergency,
Children and adults should learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. Enrolling your children in a Red Cross swimming course is one of the best things you can do to protect your children around water.
Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard.
Read and obey all rules and posted signs.
Children or inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) when around the water.
Watch out for the dangerous “too’s” – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
Set water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities (for example, inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less than chest deep).
Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas, currents, depth charges, obstructions and where the entry and exit points are located. The more informed you are, the more aware you will be of hazards and safe practices.
Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.
Use a feet-first entry when entering the water.
Enter headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.
Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm.
Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.
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