Drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages 1–4 in the USA. It can occur quickly (in as little as 20 seconds), it’s silent and it can happen even in very shallow water. Toddlers and children under five are especially at risk because they are small, inquisitive about water, and have limited understanding of the dangers.
That’s why parents have a vital role to play when it comes to water safety. It’s important to always actively supervise your child, restrict access to pools and understand water safety rules so that you can educate your child about water safety awareness. It’s also useful to know CPR and have first aid knowledge.
Here are a few Water Safety tips for parents from Five Star Swim School:
1. Supervise
‘Actively Supervising’ means watching your child closely with no distractions. This applies even if your child is an experienced swimmer and even if lifeguards or swim teachers are present. Always keep your eyes on your child.
2. Restrict access
Restrict access to water with secure, properly installed barriers such as a pool fence and gate. Never leave the gate open and don’t rely on these barriers on their own.
3. Water awareness
Teaching your kids about water safety is crucial. Swimming lessons are also a great way to help kids understand water safety and practice survival swimming skills.
4. CPR/First aid knowledge
Knowing what to do in an emergency could save a life. Enrolling in a CPR or first aid course (and keeping your skills up to date) is essential for parents.
Every year in the US, we tragically see drowning deaths that remind us how important water safety is. Although this is frightening, there are ways to prevent drowning. Teaching your child water safety skills is one of the most important things you can do. Swimming lessons reduce the risk of drowning in 1 to 4 year old children by 88%. Your child is never too young to learn how to swim and learn water safety. At Five Star, we believe that water safety plays an important role while mastering swimming skills. We will ensure a safe and fun atmosphere for your children to learn how to swim and stay safe in and around water.
