Your guide to summer water safety for kids

While refreshing dips in pools, lakes and oceans promise endless fun and relief from the heat, they also bring a crucial aspect to the forefront: water safety. It's important to make sure that little ones stay safe while they make a splash.

With expertise from Hazel Guinto, MD, system chair of pediatrics at Main Line Health and medical director of pediatric emergency services at Bryn Mawr Hospital, let's dive into essential water safety recommendations that will help you and your family safely enjoy the summer around water.

Adult supervision

Adult supervision is extremely important for children when they are near water. This applies whether in a pool, bathtub or natural bodies of water like lakes or rivers. Never leave children unattended, even for a moment.

Important water supervision rules to always follow are:

• Supervision must be constant and uninterrupted
• Supervising adults must avoid any distraction, such as grilling or looking at cell phones
• If distraction is unavoidable, supervising responsibility should be clearly handed off to another adult

Child involvement

Make children active participants in their water supervision by teaching them to stay within arm's reach of an adult when in or around water. This is especially important for younger children or those who are not strong swimmers.

Swimming lessons

Signing up children older than one year of age for swim lessons is a proactive step towards ensuring safety around water. These lessons are not just about learning to swim. They're about instilling a sense of security and self-assurance in your child, both in and around water.

"Seeking out programs that focus on a blend of swimming techniques and crucial water survival skills is key," explains Dr. Guinto.

Encouraging your child to embrace these lessons not only enhances their water safety but also builds a lifelong love and respect for swimming. However, swimming lessons will not "drown-proof" a child and should be considered as only one part of a multi-layered water safety plan.

Use the right gear

Life jackets are indispensable if you are out on a boat or near any body of water. Children should:

• Always wear properly fitting life jackets when participating in water activities like boating, kayaking or rafting
• Use only U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets that contain a specific approval number on their label
  

Air-filled swimming aids, like arm floaties or a swim vest, may help your child feel more comfortable in the water. But it's vital to understand that these could deflate or slip off and should not be substitutes for life jackets or adult supervision.

Pool safety features, if you have a pool at home, are key investments and can include:

• Four-sided isolation fencing that isolates the pool from the house or yard and is equipped with a self-closing and self-latching gate
• A pool alarm and secure covers can further prevent unsupervised access to water

Establish and enforce water safety rules

Setting up a framework of water safety rules with your family can be a fun and interactive way to emphasize the importance of being careful around water. Think of it as a game plan where everyone knows the plays — from the tiny tots to the teens.

Your water safety rules can follow these simple, clear guidelines:

• Always walk, not run, when you're around the pool to prevent slips and falls
• Never dive into shallow waters to avoid injuries
• Never swim alone but make sure there's always a buddy or adult nearby (the golden rule)
• Avoid pool drains and filters that are off-limits to prevent getting trapped
• Do not swim in these conditions:
• During storms
• When there is lightning
• In rough weather conditions

Educate children about natural water safety

Instructing our children about the unpredictable nature of natural bodies of water is essential for their safety. Unlike pools, natural waters such as creeks, lakes, rivers and oceans have varying conditions that can change swiftly.

"Start by highlighting the importance of swimming in designated areas, where lifeguards are more likely to be present and hazards are minimized," says Dr. Guinto.

What to communicate to kids when swimming outside a pool:

• Remind them that swimming skills learned in a pool may not transfer to natural water environments
• Make them aware of weather patterns (i.e., a sunny day can quickly turn, affecting water conditions dramatically)
• Explain the significance of beach flags and signs — these are vital cues for understanding when it's safe to swim and when it's best to stay on shore

Discussing the dynamics of beach riptides is a must. These strong currents can catch even the most experienced swimmers off guard. Teach your kids the importance of remaining calm and the technique of swimming parallel to the shore to escape a riptide's grip.

Encourage questions and conduct mock scenarios in a controlled environment to reinforce these lessons. By equipping your kids with this knowledge, you're not only fostering a respect for the majesty and power of natural waters but also arming them with the information they need to enjoy these beautiful environments safely.

Be prepared for emergencies

Having the right knowledge and skills to handle an unexpected situation can turn a potential disaster into a manageable emergency.

Learn and use lifesaving skills

Familiarizing yourself with CPR is an invaluable step towards water safety. Drowning victims require conventional CPR with rescue breaths along with compressions.

These lifesaving skills can make all the difference during those critical moments while waiting for professional help to arrive. Untrained rescuers should not enter the water.

Identify ways to get help

Always have a fully charged phone within easy reach when spending time by the water. This ensures you can swiftly get in touch with emergency services if the need arises.

It's equally important to teach your children how to seek assistance if they find themselves or someone else in distress. This includes:

• Recognizing signs of someone struggling in the water
• Understanding the importance of alerting an adult immediately

Enjoy your time in the water

Preparing for emergencies goes beyond knowing what to do. It's about creating a mindset of readiness and caution, making sure that fun times by the water remain safe and joyous for everyone involved.

By taking these proactive steps, you're equipping your family with the tools and knowledge they need to confidently handle any situation that may come their way in the water.

Next steps

Learn more about Hazel Guinto, MD

Learn more about pediatric care at Main Line Health

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