Drowning is a leading cause of death for children ages 14 and under. Water safety matters — in the bathtub, at the pool, and around beaches and lakes. The good news is you can keep your whole family safe by following these water safety tips.
- Supervise your child closely: All children need constant supervision near and in water (including bathtubs). That includes children who have had swimming lessons. This is because drowning can happen quickly and quietly. Pick a responsible adult who can give their full attention while watching kids near water. Skip the phone, the book and the chat.
- Teach your child water safety skills: Tell your child to only swim when there is an adult watching.
- Start swim lessons early: Find no-cost or low-cost swimming lessons for adults and kids through your city’s parks and recreation department.
- Use a life jacket: Kids should wear a life jacket whenever they are near or in the water. Foam toys or air-filled floaties should not replace a life jacket. Anyone on a boat or taking part in water sports should always wear a life jacket.
- Avoid drinking alcohol: Adults who supervise children around water need to focus on keeping them safe. Drinking alcohol makes it harder to notice when kids are in danger and respond quickly enough to save them from drowning.