| Why is it important to be safe in the water? | | | | devices. Never dive into shallow water, or water of |
| Fish are able to live and breathe under water, but | | | | unknown depth. |
| people need air to breathe. People drown when too | | | | Tips to Swimming Pool Safety: If your child is missing, |
| much water gets into their lungs. When that happens, | | | | check the pool first. If the unthinkable has happened |
| the lungs can't carry enough oxygen to the brain and | | | | every second counts. If you’re little one already |
| the rest of the body. Drowning is the second most | | | | knows how to swim they should still always be |
| common cause of death from injuries among kids | | | | supervised. Knowing how to swim doesn’t prevent |
| under the age of 14. Drowning can happen so fast | | | | accidents from happening. PoolAlarms. These can be |
| sometimes in less than 2 minutes after a person's | | | | used as an added safety feature and they are made |
| head goes under the water. That leaves very little time | | | | for doors and for underwater. |
| for someone to help. | | | | Ensure your kids are constantly supervised when in |
| Always practice constant, adult supervision around any | | | | the water, even if they can swim like fish! Discourage |
| body of water, including pools and spas. Never leave | | | | children from jumping in to help other. This often results |
| your child alone or in the care of another child. When | | | | in a double tragedy. Teach them to throw the victim |
| hosting a pool party, assign specific adults to keep an | | | | something that floats or a long object to hold on to. |
| eye on the pool at all times. Enroll non-swimmers in | | | | Get them to call an adult for help. Teach simple rescue |
| swimming lessons taught by a qualified instructor. | | | | methods and first aid. Be aware of the dangers |
| Do not allow children with no knowledge of swimming | | | | around your home and the suburb where you live. |
| in or around the pool. For good pool safety make sure | | | | Open masses of water, rivers, canals attract children |
| that all kids above the age of 4 attend a certified | | | | to play and are extremely dangerous. Teach your kids |
| swimming class, or atleast learn basic flotation | | | | to avoid playing in these areas. |
| techniques and life saving techniques in case of | | | | Boating Safety |
| accidents. Children younger than 4 should always be | | | | Whether you're the captain of a schooner or a |
| accompanied by their parents in the pool. | | | | passenger on a skiboat, following safety guidelines |
| Check with the lifeguard on surf conditions before | | | | ensures your safety and that of other seafarers. Be |
| swimming. If lifeguards give you directions or | | | | weather wise: Sudden wind shifts, lightning flashes and |
| instructions from the stand, obey them. Never swim | | | | choppy water all can mean a storm is brewing. Bring a |
| alone - use the buddy system. Don't overestimate your | | | | portable radio to check weather reports. Bring extra |
| swimming ability, especially early in the summer when | | | | gear you may need: A flashlight, extra batteries, |
| the water is cold. Swimming ability is severely | | | | matches, a map of where you are, flares, sun tan |
| decreased in cold water. Judge your ability to | | | | lotion, first aid kit, extra sunglasses. Put those that need |
| participate in beach activities based on your swimming | | | | to be protected in a watertight pouch or a container |
| skills without the assistance of rafts and other flotation | | | | that floats. |