During Fourth of July weekend many families are expecting to gather by pools, lakes and beaches. Here is how you can enjoy the holiday and keep your family safe.
Five water safety tips for a safer Fourth of July
Recommended Videos
1. Designate a Water Watcher
Assign one dedicated adult to actively supervise children whenever they’re in or near water.
According to the National Drowning Prevention Association 88% of children drown with at least one adult present, watchers should stay focused without distractions like phones, conversations, alcohol or headphones.
Rotate watchers every 15 to 20 minutes to stay attentive.
2. Understand What Drowning Really Looks Like
Many expect drowning to be loud and dramatic, but often drowning can be silent and difficult to recognize.
Children in distress may be unable to call for help or wave their arms.
Watches should frequently do visual scans and maintain active supervision.
3. Choose Brightly Colored Swimwear
Some swim colors are easier to see underwater, neon yellow, orange, pink and red swimsuits are recommended high visibility colors.
Blue, gray, green, purple or black are colored swimsuit are typically harder to view once underwater.
Drowning can happen quickly and quietly, increased visibility can help to recognize an emergency sooner.
4. Use Life Jackets, Not Floaties
Children should wear properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around open water.
Water wings, inflatables and pool toys are not life-saving devices and should never replace active supervision.
5. Create Layers of Protection with Barriers
Four-sided pool fencing, self-closing and self-latching gates, door alarms and secure locks can help prevent unsupervised access to water.
Barriers are important during holiday gatherings when distractions are more common.
For more
According to the National Institutes of Health formal swim lessons can reduce drowning risk by 88% among children ages 1 to 4.
Click here for additional water safety resources.