July 25 is World Drowning Prevention Day.
If you are the parent of a nervous swimmer like me, summer camp time can be especially stressful. You want your child to have fun in the water, so it’s important to have good safety practices. In honor of World Drowning Prevention Day, here are some tips to keep your child safe this summer:
- Check life jacket sizes – Did your child pass the weight limit since last year? Many people use infant life jackets longer than what’s intended. Make sure sizing is appropriate for your child. Look for jackets that are Coast Guard-approved.
- Check your life jackets for any missing or broken clips, straps, or zippers. Replace any jackets that are missing these items or are not in good repair.
- Check with any summer camps or friends’ parents that you may be sending your child to swim without you. Are there fences around any pools that children are unable to open?
- Call ahead to any camps or public pools for lifeguard staffing. Ensure any areas that are not adequately staffed are closed. Do not allow your children to enter areas unstaffed by lifeguards.
- Check training requirements for any staff supervising your children around water. Is every staff member trained in drowning prevention and child CPR? Consider getting your family trained in child CPR as well.
- In group settings, always designate who is responsible for supervising children and verbalize it. That person should remain undistracted when children are in the pool.
- Lastly, be mindful of the color swimsuit you are purchasing. This graphic is a popular tool for parents in choosing safe swimsuit colors. Many colors are not visible at the bottom of the pool or when the water is turbulent.
