As we continue to experience unprecedented times throughout our nation, it’s important to remember that while a new normal has been put into place, some things don’t change. Drowning is still the leading cause of unintentional death in children aged 1 to 4, and water safety still needs to be put into practice during this time. While everyone is experiencing different degrees of chaos, we want to kindly remind you of the different layers of protection and how you can maintain water safety during this time.
Stay Close
Drownings frequently happen during non-swim times. So while families are busy balancing virtual school and working from home, you may be more preoccupied than usual. I’m imperative to never leave a child alone near water, even for a few seconds. If you’ve got a pool or hot tub on your property, be sure to know who is watching the kids at all times, no matter if you are inside or outside the house.
Adult Supervision
If you’re already able to enjoy your pool, be sure to designate one adult “water watcher” at all times. That means no cell phones, tablets, books, or magazines for distraction. A water watcher is solely responsible for watching the kids in and around the pool.
Survival Swimming
Teach kids survival swimming skills. While swimming lessons are put on hold for the time being due to essential business and social distancing restrictions, you can still help your children practice their swimming skills in the pool. If you have a pool, make it a part of their extracurricular schooling lessons. Get outside and get some exercise while working on the skills they’ve learned in lessons.
Barriers
Keep your pool area safe. Swimming pools should have fences, alarms, and drains that meet local and state safety standards. This includes barriers inside your home, specifically those doggie doors, which children can get in and out of on their own if unsupervised.
Safety Equipment
Keep reaching and throwing aids near a swimming pool at all times. If a child is missing, check the pool first!
CPR
Parents, caregivers and designated water watchers should know how to perform CPR in an emergency. There are many online courses available, as well as those offered through local facilities.
The most important thing is to always know where your children are at all times. And right now, everyone is having to wear many hats which results in a little bit of chaos and distraction. We simply want to encourage you to keep maintaining water safety rules while at home. If you’re interested in survival swimming lessons, be sure to give us a call to learn more about our program and how your child can benefit from it.
SWIM SCHOOL IN KATY
Texas Swim Academy is a state-of-the-art swimming facility offering water safety, survival swim, and kids swimming lessons in Katy, Texas. Owners Kathleen and Bruce McMordie, alongside our certified staff, help parents introduce children to water at an early age through the Infant Survival Swim Program , teaching life-saving techniques and basic swimming skills.
Our Stroke Development Program offers six different levels to help students progress in their swimming skills at his or her own pace. Our Adaptive Aquatics Program was created specifically for children with special abilities. Find swimming class registration information here. By subscribing to Texas Swim Academy’s blog , you can stay current on valuable water safety resources such as survival swim, health and wellness, Texas Swim Academy news and more. Follow our Facebook , Twitter, and YouTube pages for even more news, updates, and tips!
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