Parenting

16 Ways to Keep the Family Safe Around Water

ParentingPublished Aug 29, 2019
By Marsha Takeda-Morrison
16 Ways to Keep the Family Safe Around WaterTwenty20

Whether we're out on a sunny summer day, hitting the beach, or enjoying the neighborhood pool, there's something besides towels, sunscreen, and packing plenty of fluids that we all need to remember. Water safety should be top of mind for everyone in our crew, and that includes kids as well as parents. After all, accidents can happen quickly and even silently, so staying alert is key. Sometimes it can be really easy to relax into thinking nothing bad can happen, especially if our kids are strong swimmers, but in truth, this is a form of "survivor bias," which distorts our perspective of how safe something that's fun -- but pretty dangerous -- can be. Not to scare anyone, but drowning is a leading cause of death in kids. 

This doesn't mean we shouldn't enjoy beach days, boating trips, the pool, or time in the local lake or river. It just means we should be aware that water is fun but dangerous, and plan accordingly. We've rounded up the best ways to stay safe when we're planning a fun day of splashing with the fam. Another way to stay mindful is to consider the biggest mistakes people make around water. This can help us stay aware of common mistakes others make around water -- and not just open bodies of water like the ocean or large lakes, but even kiddie pools or the tub. And for anyone who's looking to tighten up their proverbial ship at home, check out what firefighters wish everyone did at home. Firefighters know a lot about health and safety measures, and the information they're able to impart is useful and practical for anyone looking to make their family safer every day. Finally, consider creating a family emergency plan in a way that doesn't scare the kids. Every family should have a plan in place in case of emergencies, and it's a great idea to learn how to make this happen without freaking kids out.

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Buddy Up-placeholder
Buddy Up
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Buddy Up

Do not allow anyone -- not just kids -- to swim alone. Even adults who are strong swimmers may get into a situation where they need assistance. At the public pool, beach with a lifeguard -- always use the buddy system.

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Take Lessons-placeholder
Take Lessons
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Take Lessons

Swimming, boating, and water sports are the most popular summer activities, and the American Red Cross says the most important thing to keep a family safe is to enroll in age-appropriate swim lessons. Check out its website for information on swim classes and water safety training.

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Swim in Designated Areas
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Swim in Designated Areas

While it's tempting to be adventurous and head to hidden and remote areas to swim, it's important to stick to designated areas to avoid unknown hazards and dangerous conditions that may be unfamiliar or more dangerous than we realize.

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Read the Signs-placeholder
Read the Signs
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Read the Signs

Look for and obey all posted signs -- they will designate safe areas, alert us to potentially hazardous conditions, and will usually contain vital information that we may need to use in an emergency situation.

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Keep an Eye on the Kids
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Keep an Eye on the Kids

Never leave children unattended near water for even a minute -- they can disappear under water or get carried away by a wave in the blink of an eye. Young children can drown silently in as little as 25 seconds, even in the shallow end or in a baby pool. Also, don't entrust a child's safety to another child.

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Play by the Rules
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Play by the Rules

Establish rules for the family and make sure they are enforced. This means setting limits according to each individual's ability and setting safety guidelines. For example, no playing around drains and other pool equipment, and forbidding endurance games like breath-holding contests or hyperventilating before swimming.

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Stay Vigilant
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Stay Vigilant

Don't let a tranquil outdoor setting lead to complacency -- any body of water can potentially be hazardous. Extremely cold water, strong currents, and underwater hazards can turn a seemingly calm ocean shoreline, lake, or stream into a dangerous situation. Stay close to shore, buddy up, and always pay attention to posted signs.

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Recognize Signs of Secondary Drowning
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Recognize Signs of Secondary Drowning

Secondary drowning, sometimes called dry drowning, is when a small amount of water gets into the lungs, causing inflammation and difficulty breathing, with symptoms occurring up to 24 hours later. The condition is rare (it only makes up 1 to 2 percent of drowning incidents) but can be fatal. Be aware of symptoms like coughing, chest pain, lethargy, and fever.

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Wear Life Jackets
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Wear Life Jackets

A life jacket is appropriately named -- it can literally save lives. Make sure the life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) is Coast Guard-approved and that the family knows the local laws pertaining to life jacket use (for example, California law states that every child under 13 years of age on a moving recreational vessel of any length must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.)

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Be Smart About Water Toys
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Be Smart About Water Toys

Water wings, inflatable toys, floating loungers, and pool noodles are not meant to be life preservers and can potentially be hazardous. Specially designed flotation devices are fine to help little ones gain water confidence but make sure an adult is in the the water right next to the kiddo. Also, experts caution against the popular toy mermaid fins, as they can trap a child's legs and prevent the child from kicking her way to the surface.

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Keep Pool Areas Clear
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Keep Pool Areas Clear

Pay attention to the areas surrounding swimming pools and potential hazards lurking there. Store or remove things, such as furniture, trees, or playground equipment, that can entice children to jump off of them or use them for other unsafe access to the pool. Also, keep floating toys out of the pool when they're not in use as they can attract young children into the water.

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Don’t Get Distracted
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Don’t Get Distracted

Give children full attention when they're in the water. Cellphones, tablets, and books can be distracting and prevent us from noticing when someone is struggling. The five seconds it takes to read a text message is long enough for a child to be submerged underwater. But don't leave that cellphone at home -- keep it charged and within reach to use in case of an emergency.

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Emergency Action Plan
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Emergency Action Plan

If a child is missing, check the water first -- every second counts to prevent death or disability. Make sure to have appropriate items nearby -- equipment to reach or throw to a struggling person, a cellphone, a first aid kit, and a life jacket to take action when necessary. Teach young children how to use the phone and how to dial 911 in case of an emergency.

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Inspect Equipment-placeholder
Inspect Equipment
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Inspect Equipment

Keep pool fences and covers up to date and make sure they meet safety standards. Install anti-entrapment drain covers and make sure the pool filter has a vacuum release system to avoid someone being sucked under.

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Learn CPR
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Learn CPR

If someone needs to rescue a distressed swimmer, knowing how to perform CPR could save that person's life in the minutes spent waiting for an ambulance or emergency personnel to arrive. It's important for all family members to be trained -- children as young as 8 or 9 years old can potentially be trained in CPR. Classes are affordable or often free and available through a local community center, hospital, or look for classes through the American Heart Association.

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Small Doesn't Mean Safe
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Small Doesn't Mean Safe

Small children can drown in as little as an inch of water, so kiddie pools (and even buckets and toilets) pose a drowning risk. Keep children supervised at all times whenever they are near water -- whether they're wading in the ocean, swimming in a pool, or splashing around in a backyard tub.

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