Splish Splash: 5 Water Safety Tips for Families

Goldfish Swim School

The warmer summer months are nearly here, and you’re probably looking forward to taking a dip in the pool, going on a beach vacation or cooling off at the lake. While water play is fun, it also carries inherent risks. More children ages 1-4 die from drowning than any other cause of death, and for ages 5-14, it is the second leading cause of death after motor vehicle crashes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“There’s not one way to protect your child from drowning. Instead, think about layers of protection,” says Dr. Sarah Lazarus, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. “These layers need to work together.”

Develop adequate skills.

Learning to swim is an important life skill that can help prevent drowning.

“Now is the time to ensure kids are safer in and around water as we head into beach and pool season,” says Mark Sheppell, the owner of Goldfish Swim Schools Johns Creek, Roswell Village and Sandy Springs. “My number one tip for parents and caregivers is to enroll kids in swim lessons, so they learn this critical life skill.”

If you’ve never learned to swim or don’t feel confident in your swimming ability, consider enrolling as well. “Consider learning to swim, too. It’s never too late, and it’s a skill you can take with you for the rest of your life,” says Chris DeJong, the president and founder of Big Blue Swim School, which has a location in Johns Creek and one opening soon in North Druid Hills.

At some schools, classes may be open to both kids and parents, so you’re both learning, and you can model good safety habits while spending quality time together.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends swim lessons for many children can start at age 1. Because children develop at different rates, keep your child’s emotional maturity, physical and developmental abilities and limitations in mind before enrolling in swim classes. Water play classes for infants and toddlers are a great way to bond with your baby and get them used to being in the water.

Anyone can learn to swim, including children with medical concerns, such as kids with autism or epilepsy. These children are at a higher risk for drowning, so it’s even more important for them to take swim lessons. Contact swim schools to ensure they can offer lessons appropriate for your child.

“When looking at swim lesson providers, parents should consider who is teaching individual self-propulsion, so swimmers know how to swim to safety,” DeJong says. “Lessons should also give them the confidence to become stronger swimmers. Learning to swim is a major milestone, as much as learning to walk and talk are huge moments. Once you can tackle your own fears, you can do anything in life.”

Consider CPR training to be prepared in case of an emergency. “To be able to help in an emergency, it’s important to have that life-saving effort and know that skill,” Lazarus says.

Purchase and use life jackets.

According to the CDC, about 40% of drownings among children ages 5-14 occur in natural water, and more than half of fatal and nonfatal drownings among people 15 years and older occur in natural bodies of water. Life jackets can help prevent drowning.

Always use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when in, on or near open bodies of water, such as lakes or rivers. Weak swimmers should also wear life jackets when at a pool or water park. Flotation devices should not be used in place of life jackets.

In Georgia, all children younger than 13 must wear life jackets aboard a moving vessel. The life jacket should fit snugly and securely. If it rides up above their ears, it’s too big. Once she is on the boat, fasten all straps and zippers.

“Make sure kids have proper life jackets on,” DeJong says. “Know your risk factors. On a boat, it is not a great idea to be mixing alcohol and water safety. Bad sightlines are a risk factor, which can be as simple as sunlight bouncing off the water’s surface.”

Big Blue Swim School

Be your child’s lifeguard.

“Designate a water guardian. Make sure to keep your eyes on your kids at all times, even if lifeguards are present,” Sheppell says. “Kids are as curious as they come and are always willing to push the limits without knowing the true hazards.”

To keep everyone in your family safe, take an arm’s reach, eye’s reach approach. Keep beginner swimmers within arm’s reach and stronger swimmers within eye’s reach when you’re around water. Do not give a child the responsibility of watching or taking care of another child or baby.

A misconception about drowning is that it will be obvious — the person will be shouting for help or splashing around. “Many people don’t realize the significance of the threat of drowning. Drowning is a silent act — it is not what it looks like in the movies. A struggling swimmer is not going to be flailing around and splashing. It’s hard to see and hard to hear,” DeJong says. “Your child needs direct, vigilant supervision.”

An appropriate water guardian or water watcher has the skills, knowledge and ability to recognize and rescue someone in distress or can immediately alert someone nearby who has that capability; knows CPR or can immediately alert someone nearby with that skill; has a working phone to dial 911; and is not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

If you spot your child and his friends engaging in risky behaviors, stop them and encourage safe activities instead. Switch out shifts for the water guardian, so the adult does not tire, and make sure the new water watcher acknowledges their responsibility for prevention.

“No one’s going to watch your child better than you are,” Lazarus says. “The lifeguard is there to enforce the rules and in case of an emergency, but they can’t keep an eye on every kid. Drowning can happen very quickly, and no one is going to pay attention to your child better than you are.”

Keep kids safe at home.

If you have a pool at home, make sure it is as safe as possible. Secure home pools with a fence that is at least four-feet high and self-latches. The fence shouldn’t have any openings. Make sure all home pool drain covers are intact. Pool covers should cover the entire pool securely enough that a child can’t slip under them, and make sure no water collects on top.

Remind your kids that near or on pools are not places to play, especially not without adult supervision. “Many drownings happen during non-swim times,” Sheppell says. If you discover your child is missing from your home, make sure to check the pool first.

Drowning can happen in a small amount of water, so empty baby or kiddie pools and turn them upside down.

Talk about it.

Have conversations with your kids and with other adults about the importance of water safety.

“Different bodies of water present different challenges,” Sheppell says. “Have conversations with your child, so you’re all on the same page with the dangers before anyone takes a dip in the water. If they’re a little older, remind them to never swim alone. You want to have a buddy with you in case something goes wrong.”

For older kids and teens, it is also important to talk about safety, as they’re more likely to drown because they’re taking risks in or around water. “With teenagers, be honest with them about how they need to be safe and avoid risk-taking behaviors — ‘This is not something we take lightly, and it can happen to you,’” Lazarus says.

In a pool, check the water’s depth before jumping in. Teach kids to enter the water feet first, as diving headfirst can lead to spinal injury or death. Warn kids and teens not to play rough. If you’re visiting an open body of water, set a checkpoint and check-in times, and pick a place to meet if you get separated. Wear helmets during motorized water sports, like wakeboarding, water skiing or tubing.

“If your child is going swimming at a friend’s house, know what the supervision is going to look like. Having kids swim alone unsupervised is not a good idea,” DeJong says. “As moms and dads, we can’t be there for them forever, but if we give them the responsibility for their own safety and their friend’s safety, we’re helping their self-confidence.”

Is Your Family Swim-Ready?

The American Red Cross has a five-step swimming skill test every swimmer should be able to perform in each type of water environment. Consider visiting a pool to test your child’s swim ability at the beginning of the summer.

• Enter water that’s over your head, then return to the surface.
• Float or tread water for at least one minute.
• Turn over and turn around in the water.
• Swim at least 25 yards.
• Exit the water. If in a pool, can your child exit the water without using the ladder?

This test can help you assess your child’s swimming skills, so you can be honest with other adults about their abilities if you will not be around to supervise.

“Make sure you’re honest about your child’s swimming abilities, especially if they’re going to someone else’s home or going to be swimming at camp,” Lazarus says. “Some kids may be ashamed at their inability to swim. Make sure you see where they are and inform others of what deficits they have in order to keep them safe.”

Find swim lessons in the metro area here.