Splish, Splash Safety in the Sun!

When the sun's hot and the water's cool, it's hard for kids to resist taking a dip. To ensure your child swims safely, you can reach out to local public pools run by the county’s Parks & Recreation Department for affordable swim lessons. After all, drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children between 1 and 4 years old. And, sadly, Florida traditionally leads the country in drowning deaths for that age group.

Drowning can happen quickly and quietly. It’s not like the way it's shown on TV, with someone screaming and splashing their arms frantically. Oftentimes, people silently slip under water.

For more information about water safety or how to enroll a child in swimming classes, sign up for EveryParent by clicking here.

Three layers of protection

Also keep in mind that even with swim lessons, experts from the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Palm Beach County recommend three layers of protection when kids are in and around water:

  • Supervision from an adult within arm’s reach.
  • Barriers such as a pool fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate and alarms on windows and doors leading to the pool.
  • CPR training for everyone responsible for keeping an eye on the kids. Classes are offered through the American Red Cross and CPR Florida.

The dangers of open water

Florida is blessed with cool, clear lakes and sandy beaches. But swimming in open water isn’t the same as swimming in a pool. To keep your kids safe:

  • Talk to them about rip currents and only swimming where there are lifeguards present.
  • Teach children not to dive into open water because they may not know how deep the water is or what might be hidden under the surface.
  • Many boating accidents are alcohol-related. Alcohol, boats and kids can be a lethal combination.
  • Infants and children are at a higher risk for hypothermia. If you are taking a baby on a boat, be sure to take along a dry blanket or towel.
  • Always have children wear life jackets approved by U.S. Coast Guard while on boats or around bodies of water. The chances of drowning in a boating accident are 1 in 66 if wearing a life jacket, and 1 in 11 without a life jacket. 

Does that life jacket fit?

  • Check the manufacturer’s label to make sure the life jacket is designed for your child’s height and weight.
  • Fasten the jacket. This may seem obvious, but just having your child sling it over his shoulder and not fasten it won't help in an emergency.
  • Have your child hold his/her arms straight up.
  • Grasp the top of the arm openings and pull up.
  • Make sure there is no excess room above the openings.
  • Try the jacket out in shallow waters. 

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