Keep your family safe this summer with water safety knowledge and swim lessons from Aqua-Tots Swim Schools!
As the summer heat settles in, families all over find themselves cooling off at the pool and participating in the activity of the summer – SWIMMING!
We can all agree that water safety is a top priority for our children, but did you know that drowning is the #1 cause of accidental death in children ages 1-4, according to the CDC?
Here are the facts:
54% of drowning deaths are among children ages 0-4. According to Safe Kids Worldwide:
- Children under the age of 1 are most likely to drown at home in a bathtub, toilet, or bucket.
- Children ages 1-4 are most likely to drown in a pool.
- Children ages 5-17 are most likely to drown in natural water.
How Can You Help Your Family Splash Safely?
Here are 5 tactical water safety tips to practice all year-long!
Talk about water safety with your family.
Safety First, FUN Every Second!
Before the splash-tastic day begins, take a few moments to do the following:
- Point out lifeguards and safety personnel.
- Review the depths of where your children will be swimming.
- Check your surroundings and be on the lookout for currents and other uncontrollable conditions.
- Set ground rules. For example, you should always clearly explain where your children can and cannot swim, wait 30 minutes after eating to return to the water, and take breaks to avoid exhaustion.
Designate a Water Watcher.
Staying present is staying safe.
You’ve captured the cutest pics of your summer vacay, but poolside posting can wait. Eliminate distractions when supervising little ones in and around water. Undivided attention should be the number one priority around the water. We know it’s tempting but wait to share those Instagram-worthy smiles with friends and family when you’re safely back to your room and the tots are tuckered out. After all, soaking in these vacation memories free of distraction is priceless.
Download Aqua-Tots Water Watcher card, here! (link is: https://www.aqua-tots.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Water-Watcher-Card-3×5-1.pdf )
Surround your family pool with gates & alarms.
It’s fun to make a splash in a backyard pool, but only when it’s part of a planned, supervised activity.
Layers of protection are vital for a child’s safety, and pools should be surrounded by a four-foot fence, a gate that locks, and alarms that sound when these are opened.
Use proper floatation devices.
Pool toys are lots of fun, but it’s important to remember that they’re not lifesaving devices.
When choosing the proper flotation device for your family’s next water adventure, look at the height and weight recommendations, and signs that say, “Approved by the U.S. Coast Guard”. While water wings may be a cute addition to your child’s swimwear, only life jackets should be used as a lifesaving flotation device. Let swimmers take these off from time to time and swim with you so they can feel their buoyancy!
Enroll in year-round, formal swim lessons.
Swim lessons save lives!
According to the National Institutes of Health, swim lessons can reduce your child’s risk of drowning up to 88%! Enrollment in year-round, formal swim lessons will give you the peace of mind you deserve and prepare your little one for the years of water adventures ahead.
Aqua-Tots is the industry leader in swimming instruction. Our skill-based curriculum is proven to help children learn the valuable lifesaving skill of swimming. With professional water safety instructors that spend 50+ hours training, indoor 90-degree pool, and 8 Levels of swim progression, our family is here and ready to swim alongside your children as they become safe and confident swimmers for life!
To learn more about Aqua-Tots, visit https://www.aqua-tots.com/beavercreek/ or call 937-200-1120.