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May is National Water Safety Awareness Month and the water safety experts at Goldfish Swim School want every family to have the skills that they need to be safer in and around the water all year round.
But first the facts – did you know that:
- Drowning remains the #1 cause of death for children ages 1-4, and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children 5-14
- More children ages 1–4 die from drowning than any other cause of death
- 70% of toddler drownings happen when the child isn’t expected to be in the water (non-swim time)
- Children younger than 1 year old are more likely to drown at home, and for children younger than 5, 87% of drowning fatalities happen in home pools or hot tubs
- 50% of children drown within 25 yards of a parent or other adult
- 88% of child drownings occur with at least one adult present
- Taking formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88%
Enrolling in swim lessons is just the first step on your family’s water safety journey. Keep these safety tips in mind:
- Ditch the floaties! Instead, seek out Coast Guard-Approved life jackets! These regulated and consistent floatation devices, when fitted correctly, allow for proper breathing and swimming for kiddos of all ages.
- Follow the rules! Review rules together as a family before letting your kids loose to enjoy the water. Pay special attention to pool hours, and always schedule your swims when lifeguards are present, if possible. Throw a life preserver first before jumping to a person’s aid!
- Wear bright colors! The best swimsuit colors are bright and can be distinguished in the water – lean towards pink, purple, orange, yellow and green for the clearest view of your child no matter how wavy the water.
- Designate a water watcher – an adult, whose responsibility needs to be keeping an eye on the swimmers is a must this summer. Vigilance is key – no chatting, no checking your phone, no distractions.
- Utilize layers of protection around pools including fences and door alarms. Many drowning incidents occur during non-swim times.
As you review these water safety reminders with your kids, it’s a great time to ask yourself if your kids are water-ready?! If not, swim by one of the 5 Cleveland-area Goldfish Swim School locations (Cleveland East Side, Fairview Park, Hudson, North Canton and Strongsville) to learn more about signing up for swim lessons. Goldfish Swim School offers year-round, indoor swim lessons for kids ages 4 months through 12 years-old.
Visit the Goldfish Swim School website for more water safety information, helpful checklists and other resources to keep your family safe in and around water.