Water Safety Tips For Summer

The dog days of summer are upon us with the baking temperatures of July in full swing. Cooling off by taking a dip in a pool, lake or ocean seems like the only sensible course of action when the weather gets this hot. Before taking a plunge off that diving board, it’s important to brush up on water safety measures to ensure that you and your family stay safe this summer. 

• Don’t go it alone. If you’re planning to hit the pool or visit the lake, make sure you don’t go it alone. Accidents happen even to the most experienced swimmers, and swimming with a buddy can ensure someone is always with you in the event of an emergency. Using the buddy system in crowded watering holes can also prevent accidents that may not be noticed due to large crowds. 
• Wear a life jacket. If you’re not a confident swimmer or you’re spending time with one, get fitted for a life jacket, especially when boating or swimming near lakes and the ocean. Many area water parks and public pools offer them to visitors, so take the time and do your due diligence to learn how a life jacket should fit. 
• Never leave children unattended. Even if there are lifeguards present and you’ve got a little one with swim experience, it’s wise never to leave kids unattended near the water. Pools get busy in the summer and lifeguards have lots of people to watch. Things can quickly go south if no one has eyes on your child.
• Stay away from pool drains. Pool drains are a common cause of pool injuries and drownings. Things like hair and swimsuits can get stuck in pool drains causing someone to be underwater too long. Educate children and adults alike about where the pool drains are and how to stay away from pool drains when swimming. 
• Keep your home pool safe. If you have a swimming pool at home, invest in a gate or pool barrier that’s at least 4 feet high. Make sure your patio or back door has a child-proof lock so that small children can’t wander outside and fall in the pool. It’s also best to put pool toys and floats away when they’re not in use as they can tempt small children who may want to play with them unsupervised. 
• Avoid swimming germs. Sadly, swimming pools and even ocean, lake and river water can be full of germs. If you’re going to swim this summer, talk to your kids about avoiding swallowing water as much as possible and be sure to swim only in swimming pools that have been treated with chemicals aimed at killing germs. A stomach bug is not a fun way to spend your summer vacation. 
• Learn CPR. CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a life-saving skill to have. Organizations such as The American Heart Association offer CPR classes to anyone from potential lifeguards to normal people who want to be useful in an emergency situation. 
• Watch the heat. With temperatures often in excess of 100 degrees, it’s easy to suffer the effects of dehydration and heat stroke—even in a pool. Be sure to pack plenty of water and find a ready source of shade. If you start feeling sick or experiencing these signs of heat stroke, it’s time to get out of the water and head to an air-conditioned area. 
• Get swim lessons. Swimming is a fun way to stay active and engaged in the summertime, but it’s important to learn to do it the right way. Swim lessons ensure that you learn how to get from one end of the pool to another, help you learn how to float and can help teach little ones how to get out of the pool safely. Whether you have young ones that need to learn to swim or you’re an adult who never got lessons, getting proper swim lessons from a certified expert can help you and your family safe and avoid accidents all summer. 

“Drowning is preventable. It is our passion to make as many children safer in and around water”. – Dan Schoen, Houston Swim Club.

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children under 4 years of age. A study came out in 2009 that showed that formal swim lessons reduced the risk of drowning by 88%! Houston Swim Club offers swim lessons for babies 4 months old through adults in a safe and nurturing environment. Houston Swim Club offers professional swim lessons from instructors with more than 50 years of experience. 

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