Be Water Aware
Swimming is one of life's great pleasures. It offers many health and fitness benefits, cools you off in the summer, and provides a great opportunity to socialize with family and friends. Make sure you and yours stay safe in the water by being water aware.
Swimming Lessons Save Lives.™ The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes both adults and children.
Parents are the first line of defense in keeping kids safe in the water. Never leave children unattended near water, not even for a minute. If your child's in the water, you should be too!
Follow posted safety rules and warnings. Teach kids that being safe in and around the water is a personal responsibility - yours and theirs.
Teach your children to always swim with a buddy.
If you or a family member is a weak or non-swimmer, wear a life vest. It's nothing to be embarrassed about and many facilities provide them at no charge.
It is always best to swim in an area supervised by lifeguards, but remember, Lifeguards are the last line of defense when all other layers of protection fail.
Avoid alcoholic beverages before or during swimming, boating or water-skiing. Never drink alcohol while supervising children around water. Teach teenagers about the danger of drinking alcohol while swimming, boating or water skiing.
Teach kids not to drink the pool water. To prevent choking, never chew gum or eat while swimming, diving or playing in water.
Do not use air-filled swimming aids (such as "water wings") in place of life jackets or life preservers with children. Using air-filled swimming aids can give parents and children a false sense of security, which may increase the risk of drowning. These air-filled aids are toys and are not designed to be personal-flotation devices. After all, air-filled plastic tubes can deflate because they can become punctured or unplugged.
The American Red Cross recommends 9 feet as a minimum depth for diving or jumping.
Don't get too tired, too cold, too far from safety, exposed to too much sun or experience too much strenuous activity.
Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.
Apply sunscreen on all exposed skin to ensure maximum skin protection. Hats, visors and shirts are recommended to prevent overexposure.
Don't take chances by overestimating your swimming skills.
Zero-depth entry pools have water games, sprays and fountains with no appreciable water depth.
Restrictions apply to many rides in a waterpark. Size and coordination is critical to safety inside open water flumes.
When you go from one waterpark attraction to another, note that the water depth may be different and the attraction should be used in a different way.
Chlorine and water pH readings are usually posted at large waterparks.
Many parks require them. Note where changing areas are located and use these designated, sanitized changing spots.
Guests with neck or back problems, heart conditions, prevalence toward motion sickness or pregnancy may not ride high-speed or rapid-descent rides.
Learn More About Water Safety
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1-14. It can and should be prevented. Teaching children to swim is a vital skill for drowning prevention along with other key water safety measures that everyone can take to stay safe in and around the water.
Check out the WLSL water safety tips and always Be Water Aware!
Other Water Safety Links: Learn more about staying safe in the sun and around the water by clicking on these links.
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Cancer Society - Sun Safety
American Red Cross
Center For Disease Control - General Swimming Safety
Every Child A Swimmer
Kids Health in Spanish
Kids Health - Sun Safety
Kids Health - Water Safety
National Water Safety Month
Safer 3 Water Safety Foundation