Summer is just around the corner! With many of us headed to the pool, beach, and lake soon, and May being National Water Safety Awareness Month, now is a great time to prepare for our time around the water. We talked with the swim and water safety experts at Goldfish Swim School Hoover to learn practical tips to keep your family safe this summer. Read on for great advice and an exciting giveaway of swim lessons with Goldfish Swim School!
Did you know that drowning remains the number one cause of unintentional injury-
related death among children ages 1 to 4, taking the lives of three children in the United
States every day? According to a recent survey, two-thirds of families plan to spend time near the water this summer, but only one-third of parents feel confident in their children’s swimming abilities.
While these statistics are concerning, parents can do several things to keep their kids safe in and around water! The team at Goldfish Swim School in Hoover shared these essential water safety tips that every family needs to know:
Enroll in Swim Lessons
As a result of the increased threat in childhood drownings, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all kids enroll in swim lessons by age one. Studies show that swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88%!
Never Swim Alone
While many of our young ones think they’re all grown up and don’t need a swim buddy, you can re-enforce this rule by explaining this rule goes for kids and adults alike. Teach your children to always have a buddy in the water – whether it be an adult or peer – at the beach, on vacation, or at home. Children can drown in as little as two inches of water, so if water is around, make sure someone else is, too.
Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-Approved Life Jacket
Having a proper floatation device is one of the easiest ways to increase safety in the water. Make sure the one you use is approved by the United States Coast Guard. Pay attention to proper fit! If a child’s head or ears can slip down beneath the life jacket, the device won’t be able to work as designed to keep their head above water and allow for proper breathing. A U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket is especially important when swimming in lakes and oceans when water conditions can be uncertain and unpredictable.
Designate a Water Guardian
Make sure to keep your eyes on your kids at all times, even if lifeguards are present. Kids are as curious as they come and are always willing to push the limits without knowing the true hazards. Designate an adult “Water Guardian” and be sure to change guardians every
30 minutes so he/she is alert and refreshed. A Water Guardian’s sole responsibility needs to be keeping an eye on the swimmers. Vigilance is key – no chatting, no checking your phone, no distractions.
Use Layers of Barriers
Many drownings happen during non-swim times. Be aware of pools and other bodies of water and create multiple barriers (i.e. pool fences, door locks, alarms, etc.) to prevent kids from accessing these areas unsupervised.
*** SWIM LESSONS WITH GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL GIVEAWAY***
Enter to Win Swim Lessons and Prepare for a Safer Summer with your Family!
In honor of National Water Safety Awareness Month, Goldfish Swim School is giving one
lucky winner 4 WEEKS OF FREE SWIM LESSONS OR A WEEK-LONG JUMP START CLINIC (4
lessons in one week). Goldfish offers indoor, year-round swim instruction to children ages 4
months to 12 years-old in a safe, fun and family-friendly setting with highly trained
instructors and small class sizes (max 4:1 student to teacher ratio), and shiver-free 90-
degree pools. Goldfish offers convenient scheduling options, and families can easily book
makeup classes when necessary. Families can register for swim lessons by visiting
goldfishswimschool.com.
To enter to win swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School Hoover, please complete this form.
Giveaway ends May 24, 2024, at midnight. Winner will be selected at random. Lesson dates
and times subject to availability. Can’t wait to see you in the pool!