The unofficial start to summer is right around the corner! Memorial Day weekend will kick off summer days spent by the pool and fun family trips to the lake or the beach. Spending time cooling off in the water is loads of fun, but it’s important to keep water safety in mind.
May is UV Awareness Month, and it’s also National Water Safety Month. With so many water-based activities in the summer, now’s the time to brush up how to keep kids safe around the water. Below are some tips compiled from the International Swimming Hall of Fame, National Water Safety Month website, and the American Red Cross:
- Start teaching kids water safety and swimming skills as early as possible.
- Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit and rescue equipment readily available at the pool and on the boat, and make sure you know how to use it. Kids can learn to use some rescue equipment, too. For instance, teach them to “Reach or Throw, Don’t Go.”
- Never swim alone. Always have a buddy!
- Assign a responsible person to be the “designated watcher” who will keep an eye on kids during social gatherings that take place near a pool.
- Create rules and make sure all family members follow them. For example, whether you’re swimming in a backyard pool, lake, or ocean, all kids should be taught ask for permission before entering the water. This gives adults time to make sure the water is safe for entry.
- If you’re boating, make sure all passengers are outfitted with lifejackets that fit appropriately.
Naturally, when you’re enjoying the water safely, you’re going to have more fun. And swimming is even more fun when your little swimmers aren’t complaining about stinging eyes; that’s why Real Kids Shades now manufactures One Step Ahead Swim Goggles. They’re made of the same durable lenses as our kids sunglasses and are designed to fit so water stays out! Plus, they offer UV protection, too!
Click here to learn more about our One Step Ahead Swim Goggles or to purchase a pair to toss in your beach bag this summer.
And let us know – how do you teach the importance of water safety to your children? Leave a comment to share your tips and strategies with us!
Image 1 courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net