“I participated in a Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for SwimWays. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”
Memorial Day is right around the corner, and here in Pennsylvania, that is the “unofficial” start of summer. People are starting to open their swimming pools and most of the public and community pools will be opening soon.
However, with this fun season also comes a certain amount of danger. Water safety is something that has always been very important to me and it is something that I stress to not only my kids but also to my husband each year. It only takes a moment for a child to drown which is why it is so important to teach your family water safety.
To help spread awareness of water safety, I have come up with a list of 5 ways to help keep your children safe around water this summer. Of course, this list is not all-inclusive and you need to use your best judgement. Here are some tips that I have collected:
Young children should always be supervised by an adult while swimming. This might seem obvious, but it only takes a moment for an accident to happen. If you have to go inside to go to the bathroom or get something, make sure that you make the children to get out of the pool, and if necessary, take them inside with you.
Teach children to ask permission before going near water. This doesn’t just pertain to pools. Any body of water such as a lake, river, ocean, or even a pond, can be dangerous. Cold temperatures, currents, or even underwater hazards can make a fall into any of these bodies of water dangerous.
Take precautions if you own a pool. If you have a pool at your home, you will need to take steps to secure it. Some things you might want to consider installing are alarms on pool gates or even underwater alarms as well as a safety pool cover. In addition, you will want to install a fence with a self-latching gate on in-ground pools, and for aboveground pools, you will want to remove steps or ladders when the pool is not in use.
Make sure that everyone knows how to swim. Swimming lessons are available at many public pools as well as at high schools, athletic centers, or YMCAs. Even if you are an adult, it is never too late to learn to swim. Enroll in age-appropriate lessons if necessary.You can even sign up for private lessons.
In fact, May 16 is the fourth annual National Learn to Swim Day. This day is designed to remind parents and guardians to kick off summer safely by teaching their children water safety as well as enrolling them in swim instructions. Swimming is an important life skill and that all children should have the opportunity to learn to swim.
Ensure that children are comfortable around water. This is super-important. Whether it be pools, or natural bodies of water, you want your children to not only know how to swim, but also know water safety and how to act around water. One of the best ways to do this is begin exposing children to water early.
E and Baby R are still small, but I make a point to not only expose them to water, but also to make it fun. During our first trip to the ocean when E was just 6 months old, and now with Baby R, I use the SwimWays Baby Spring Float when we are in the pool. What I love about this float is that I am able to get into the pool with the boys and not have to worry about holding them the whole time.
The Baby Spring Float features a lower center of gravity, safety valves, and dual air chambers ensure security. This means you don’t have to worry about your child tipping over and falling face-first into the water. Additionally, it includes adjustable and removable canopy for added shade which is essential for protecting your child’s delicate skin.
For older children, SwimWays has the Swim Steps line of products to help children become confident swimmers. This line not only includes the swim floats, but also swim vests as well as training vests.
You can purchase the SwimWays Baby Spring Float, and other SwimWays products, at
ToysRUs as well as through the SwimWays website.
What safety tips do you have for when your family is around water?
