Allison Vorcheimer Brought to you by: The SoFlo Moms & Goldfish Swim School Coral Springs
Living in South Florida we are constantly surrounded by water. It is beautiful and can be so calming, but it can also be dangerous especially with young children. As an advanced open water diver, I have a love for the ocean and enjoy almost all things water related but I also know how important it is to respect the water and learn how to stay safe. Now, as a mom to a curious 2.5 year old and pool owner, I am intensely aware of keeping my son safe around water. That is why we partnered with Goldfish Swim School – Coral Springs to bring you swim safety tips to keep your children safe this summer!
What to Teach Your Children
- Always ask permission to go near water. Children need to know that they can not be around water alone and understand that it can be dangerous.
- How to Swim. Enroll your child in age appropriate swim lessons. Consider their development and how often they are around water.
- Goldfish Swim Coral Springs offers a variety of options for ages 4 months-12 years old. Learn more about their programs here.
- These five water survival skills:
- Step or jump into water over their head and return to the surface.
- Turn around in the water and orient to safety.
- Float or tread water.
- Combine breathing with forward movement in the water.
- Exit the water.
- Wear floatation devices, but also what happens without them. So many parents rely on floatation devices to keep their children safe in the water, which is great. The problem is when children do not understand that the device is helping them to float and believe they can do the same thing on their own. While supervised, ensure your children know how their body behaves without the help of a floatation device. My son now knows how to swim without it but will specifically request to use his float when he is getting tired and/or swimming in open water.
What YOU can Do
- Always watch kids when they are in or around water. Keep young children and inexperienced swimmers close. Make sure experienced swimmers are always with a swim partner.
- Designate a Water Watcher. When there are several adults (and multiple distractions), choose one person to be responsible for watching the children for a set period of time and switch off throughout the event.
- Avoid distractions when your child is in or around water. Drowning can occur in under 5 minutes and is often silent. Put away phones, books and magazines and give your child undivided attention.
- Know how to swim. If you do not know how to swim, make sure you learn! Being able to assist your child without putting yourself at risk of drowning is important.
- Learn CPR and water rescue skills. Knowing how to respond in case of an emergency can help to save a life.
Pool Safety
- Have at least one of the following pool safety features (required by law). Many drownings happen in home pools while in the care of one or both parents who lost sight of the child for more than 5 minutes.
- Have a barrier or pool enclosure – such as a fence
- An approved safety pool cover
- All doors and windows with direct access to the pool must have an exit alarm
- A swimming pool alarm that sounds upon detection of an accidental or unauthorized entrance to the water.
- ALWAYS check the water first. If a child is missing, check the water first. Every second counts in preventing death or disability.
- Be aware of pool drains. Teach children not to swim near pool drains or suction outlets.
Open Water Safety
- Teach children swimming in open water is different from a swimming pool. Conditions can vary in open water such as visibility depth, currents and undertow. These all make swimming in open water more challenging.
- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket when boating or participating in open water activities. Make sure you choose a life jacket that is the right size for your child’s weight. Do not let weak swimmers and children who cannot swim near open water without a life jacket on.
- Use designated swimming areas whenever possible and follow all regulations. Look for posted signs about water hazards and if/when a lifeguard will be present. When on a boat, make sure to use a dive flag and choose a safe area to stop and swim.
- Check weather and water conditions before you go out and throughout the day. Swimming, boating, personal watercraft and other water activities can become more dangerous with rough waves, ripping currents, big swells, heavy rains and lightning storms. Make sure the conditions will be safe while you choose to be on the water, especially when bringing children along.
These tips were put together with some resources from Safe Kids Worldwide, the American Red Cross and my personal experiences. Are there any swim safety tips you can share or that you found extremely helpful? Tell us below!
