Boating & Water Safety

As we enjoy the sunshine this summer, many families will beat the heat by enjoying pools, beaches, lakes, and rivers. With safety being the number one concern, here are some important points to remember when taking little ones around water.
 

• Be prepared!
  • If possible, teach little ones to swim and float on their backs in a controlled swim environment prior to taking them to more chaotic swim places
  • Ensure each child has an appropriately fitted coast-guard approved life jacket prior to swimming and when around bodies of water
    • “Floaties” are not appropriate floatation devices
  • Create a safety plan before each swim to make sure each child is adequately supervised
    • Keep little ones within arm’s reach of a responsible adult while swimming
    • Only swim at beaches and pools with lifeguards on duty
    • If a child is missing from view, check pools and other water first!

Summertime water play is fun for the whole family! We hope these tips help to keep your family safe! As always, if you have questions about boating and water safety, please contact your pediatrician. For more information, visit these American Academy of Pediatrics links:

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Life-Jackets-and-Life-Preservers.aspx

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Summer-Safety-Tips-Sun-and-Water-Safety.aspx