Many families kick off the unofficial start of summer on Memorial Day weekend with water related fun. Sadly here are drownings and near-drowning incidents across the country, including the Akron area during Memorial Day weekend. Pools, lakes, and beaches will be even busier during Memorial Day weekend, so these tips are even more essential. Water accidents happen quick, these are water safety tips your family needs to know beforehand. The American Red Cross states that the #1 way to prevent drowning and keep kids safer around water is to enroll them in swim lessons.
Warning Signs of Drowning
Downing does not look like the movies – there isn’t waving, splashing and yelling; it is often quiet because a child who is taking on water cannot shout for help. Constant supervision is the only way to know if your child is drowning.
- Head low in the water with mouth at water level
- Head tilted back with mouth open
- Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
- Eyes closed
- Not using legs and vertical in the water
- Hyperventilating or gasping
- Trying to roll over on the back
Water Safety Tips
- Have an adult “water watcher” with kids at all time – this means no cell phones, conversations, magazines and anything else that might distract the adult from watching. Many children who drown are supervised.
- Water toys like floaties, noodles and plastic inner tubes do NOT protect against drowning. These toys are not life-saving devices. Only U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets should be used – your life jacket will say if it is U.S. Coast Guard approved on the label.
- Require everyone around water (yourself, kids, caregiver) to get swim lessons.
- The American Red Cross states that the #1 way to prevent drowning and keep kids safer around water is to enroll them in swim lessons. We recommend Goldfish Swim Club in Hudson, Ohio for local readers.
Local Resources to Educate Families on Water Safety
Check out the Water Safety Program offered by Goldfish Swim School Hudson to educate kids and families about water safety basics at your local school, day care center, summer camp and community group. Interested organizations should contact Goldfish Swim School Hudson to schedule this FREE community safety program.
Goldfish Swim School Hudson provides swim instruction to children ages 4 months to 12 years in a unique setting with highly trained instructors, small class sizes (max 4:1 student-teacher ratio), shiver-free 90-degree pools, and a state-of-the-art water purification system. Please visit the website for more information: goldfishswimschool.com.
