Warmer weather is finally here! Pools, lakes, and beaches – this is what everyone thinks of when it comes to summer fun. But with the fun images of jumping into lakes and swimming at the pool, there is an air of caution that everyone should take, especially when it comes to young children.
Growing up and around water, we are now raising our daughter around it as well, whether for fishing or swimming. Here are 3 tips for water safety that my husband and I have made to ensure that she is safer around the water.
Dress your child in bright colors.
As a Southern gal, I love an adorable blue gingham pattern, but on a swimsuit? No way. My daughter’s swimming wardrobe consists of bright colors; think, hot pink, yellow, and shades of orange. The reason? These colors will stand out in the water if I need to do a quick scan for our four year old. Try and stay away from shades of blue or green, as they will easily blend in with the water.
Designate an adult to supervise.
Sure, we all want to have fun and imbibe on the adult beverage of choice. But when there is a group of adults, giving up drinking for a 15-30 minute shift to watch the kids is nothing compared to having to frantically search for a missing child and having to make a 911 call. If there’s ever a question of who is in charge, have the supervising adult carry a designated kids float so that there’s no question about who is in charge.
Sign up your child for swim lessons.
In most cities, there are at least a few options for children to take swim lessons. Though there are various teaching methods, introducing your child to water at a young age is ideal. The sooner that they become acclimated to proper water etiquette, the better. Listed are a few options in the Louisville area:
502 Swim: ISR Rescue Swim
AquaTots
Bear Paddle
Blairwood Tennis Swim Fitness
Fun Fins Swim School
The J Swim School
Swim Labs + SafeSplash
YMCA of Greater Louisville
These are just 3 tips for water safety. What are some other steps that you take to ensure that your child is safe in and around the water?
