Jun 6, 20221 min
Updated: Aug 28, 2023
As you try to stay cool in a pool or at the beach this summer, always keep water safety for yourself and others in mind.
The American Red Cross has an abundance of information regarding water safety. Here are a few highlights about why water safety is so important and how to protect loved ones this summer!
Things to Know About Water Safety
Ensure every member of your family knows basic water competency and is able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance then get out of the water safely.
Employ layers of protection including barriers to prevent access to water, life jackets, and close supervision of children to prevent drowning.
Know what to do in a water emergency - including how to help someone in trouble in the water safely, call for emergency help and CPR.
Circle of Drowning Prevention
Layers of protection are essential to help prevent drowning. Plan ahead for aquatic activities by following the Circle of Drowning Prevention steps below:
Why Is Water Safety So Important?
It only takes a moment. A child or weak swimmer can drown in the time it takes to reply to a text, check a fishing line or apply sunscreen. Death and injury from drownings happen every day in home pools and hot tubs, at the beach or oceans, lakes, rivers and streams, bathtubs, and even buckets.
Working together to improve water competency makes water activities safer for everyone!