Water Safety for Kids: Tips to Keep your Little Ones Safe

Summer is almost here! We teach water safety all year round (aren't indoor pools great?!?), but as the weather starts to warm up, many families will be heading out to the pool, lake, or beach to cool off and have fun.

Houston Swim Club wants to make sure you and your family stays safe this summer.

Drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths among children ages 1 to 14. That's why it's crucial to take steps to ensure your kids stay safe around water, and it's always good to remind your family of these important water safety tips.

Water Safety Around the House

It isn't just about the pool! Even if you don't have a pool, there are still potential water hazards in and around your home. Here are a few tips to keep your kids safe:

• Keep bathroom doors closed and locked when not in use.
• Keep toilet lids closed to prevent young children from falling in.
• Empty buckets, basins, and wading pools immediately after use and store them upside down. Infants and toddlers can drown even in just a few inches of water.
• Ensure that all outdoor pools, ponds or water features are securely covered or fenced off.

Water Safety in the Bathroom

The bathroom can be a particularly dangerous area when it comes to water safety. Children can drown in bathtubs, toilets, and even buckets! Here are some tips to keep your little ones safe:

• Always supervise your child during bath time.
• Only fill the bathtub with a few inches of water.
• Don't leave your child alone with a sibling or friend in the bath.
• Keep all electrical appliances, such as hair dryers, away from the bathtub.

Water Safety at the Beach or Lake

Heading to the beach or lake with your kids? Galveston or Lake Livingston can be a lot of fun, but they can also be dangerous, even for adults who can swim! Keep these water safety tips in mind:

• Always supervise your child in and around the water, even if they are strong swimmers.
• Choose a beach or lake that has a lifeguard on duty, such as the lifeguard towers on Galveston beach.
• When boating, make sure that your child is wearing a life jacket.
• Learn what the warning flag colors mean on the beach. You can find this at Galveston Island Beach Patrol.

Water Safety in a Backyard Pool

If you have a pool in your backyard, it's important to take extra precautions to ensure your child's safety. Here are some tips:

• Assign a Water Watcher, someone who can supervise the pool without distraction. Many drownings happen when adults are present.
• Ensure that the pool area is securely fenced off with a self-closing gate.
• Teach your child how to swim and consider enrolling them in swimming lessons at a reputable swim school such as Houston Swim Club.
• Keep pool toys and other items out of the pool when not in use.

Water Safety at Public Pools

Public pools can be a fun way to cool off, but they can also be dangerous if proper precautions aren't taken. Here are some tips to keep your child safe at public pools:

• Always supervise your child in and around the pool.
• Make sure that the pool has a lifeguard on duty.
• Follow the pool rules at all times and obey warning signs.
• Make sure that your child is wearing appropriate flotation devices, such as a life jacket.

 Do's and Don'ts Around Water

Here are some general do's and don'ts to keep in mind when it comes to water safety:

Do:

• Teach your child how to swim.
• Always supervise your child around water.
• Make sure that your child is wearing appropriate flotation devices.

Don't:

• Leave your child unattended around water, even for a moment.
• Assume that your child is safe just because they know how to swim.
• Allow your child to swim in a pool without a fence or other barrier.

May is Water Safety Month

May is designated as Water Safety Month to raise awareness of the importance of water safety and drowning prevention, so at Houston Swim Club we are doing our best to spread the message all month long.

You can find more resources and tips for keeping your kids safe around water at organizations like Stop Drowning Now. If you are headed to the Galveston beach, Galveston Island Beach Patrol is a great resource for lifeguard schedules and beach conditions.

By taking the time to educate yourself and your kids about water safety, you can enjoy a summer of fun and safe water play.

Written by Howey the Dolphin, Water Safety Expert, Houston Swim Club