As the final days of school approach, you might notice many of your outdoor activities this summer revolve around water. Play dates at the pool, trips to the beach, boating and fishing, and days spent at the water park are all fun ways for the entire family to stay active outside during the hottest months.
While water play is enjoyable for all ages and provides a way to stay cool in the heat of summer, it also comes with risks. Even if you are comfortable in the water and consider yourself a strong swimmer, take a moment to reacquaint yourself with the following water safety tips—and maybe even learn a few new ones!
Supervised Swimming
According to the CDC, drowning is the number one cause of death in children ages 1-4, and the second leading cause of unintentional injury in ages 5-14.
Because it takes merely a moment for drowning to occur, an adult should always be present when children are in the water, paying extra close attention to the weakest swimmers. But even adults should not swim alone. Always swim with others nearby, preferably where a lifeguard is on duty.
Sober Swimming
While it might sound like a good time to throw back a few drinks at the beach or while boating with your friends, your risk of injury during water activities goes up exponentially when alcohol is involved.
In fact, up to 70% of injuries while boating or swimming involve alcohol for both adolescents and adults. Alcohol impairs thinking and good judgment, leading to higher rates of risk-taking behavior—a dangerous combination during water recreation.
Talk to your teens and college students about the risks of swimming while drinking alcohol!
Swim Smart
Knowledge is key. Follow these smart swimming tips:
- Know your own limits and those of your swimmers.
- Consider swim lessons for your children and even for yourself.
- Take a CPR class. It’s better to have the skill and not use it than to need the skill and not have it.
- Take a boater safety course.
Size-up Your Situation
Before going out on a boat or for a swim, it’s important to assess the environment and either make adjustments or change your plans.
Important environmental factors to consider:
- River and ocean rip currents
- Weather conditions
- Water temperature
- Water depth and clarity
Skill Savvy
The Red Cross recommends learning to perform these 5 swimming skills in various water environments:
- 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.
Make a family activity out of every member of the household learning these important skills!
Safety Supplies
Federal law requires life jackets for all children under the age of 13 when boating. While not required, it is recommended that young children wear a life jacket when playing on or around piers, pool decks, or any place they could trip and fall into a body of water.
To check out a complete list of life jacket requirements for boaters, visit the Virginia Department of Wildlife Services website.
PLEASE NOTE: a floatation device does not ever take the place of adult supervision.
Slather Up
Protect your entire body with sunscreen, especially when boating or swimming. Because water reflects the sun’s rays and makes them stronger, you will burn much faster in or around water. Many people believe body parts under the water are protected, but this is untrue. Water does create a barrier but nearly half of UV rays still reach the body within a couple feet below the surface.
John Hopkins Medicine recommends using a broad-spectrum, waterproof sunscreen of at least SPF 30 to protect you and your family against harmful UVB and UVA rays. If sunscreen stings your little one’s sensitive skin, trade your chemical-based brand for a mineral-based one. They’re both effective at blocking dangerous rays, so it’s merely a matter of personal preference.
Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every couple of hours, especially when swimming or sweating is involved. But even with regular applications you can still get too much sun exposure, which is why seeking out shade, utilizing large-brimmed hats and covering up skin with light protective layers is still smart sun safety when spending longer periods outdoors.
Visit WaterSafetyUSA.com and RedCross.org for more tips on staying water safe this summer!
