Safe-water tips

Designate a “water watcher.” This person should not be reading or texting and should never take their eyes off the children. Adults should take turns and have a designated person watching at all times.

Make sure children learn to swim. Go to usaswimmingfoundation.org and type in your ZIP code to find free and low-cost swim lessons close to you. If you are an adult and don’t know how to swim, remember it’s never too late to learn this lifesaving skill.

Even if your child can swim, vigilance is needed. A child can slip and fall, get tired or play a dangerous water game such as “hold your breath.”

Teach your child that swimming in open water is different from swimming in a pool. Make sure they are aware of challenges such as limited visibility, currents and undertow.

Air-filled or foam toys are not safety devices. Don’t use water wings, noodles or inner tubes instead of life jackets. These toys are not designed to keep swimmers safe.

Drowning can happen quickly and quietly. You might expect a drowning person to splash or yell for help, but people can quietly slip underwater.

Use designated swimming and recreational areas whenever possible. Professionals have assessed the area, and there are usually signs posted regarding hazards and lifeguard schedules.

Use a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket in and around open water.

Get a life jacket (also called a personal floatation device or PFD) that is appropriate for a child’s weight and the water activity.

Learn CPR. In the time it takes for paramedics to arrive, your CPR skills can save a life.

Sources: Safe Kids Worldwide, Nationwide’s Make Safe Happen, USA Swimming Foundation and American Red Cross