Water Safety Tips

Protect yourself and your children by taking these simple precautions.

• Empty containers or kiddie pools as soon as you are finished using them.
  
  
• Always enter the water feet first.
  
  
• Never swim alone, and don’t let other adults, teens or children swim alone.
  
  
• Make sure the water is deep enough (at least 9 feet deep, according to the American Red Cross) before jumping in or diving.
  
  
• If you can’t swim or don’t know CPR, enroll yourself in classes. A significant number of drownings have been prevented because parents had these skills.
  
  
• Don’t mix alcohol and water: each year, up to half of all adult drownings are linked to alcohol use.
  
  
• Don’t chew gum or eat food while in the water—you could choke.
  
  
• Introduce your kids to the water early. Use bath time to familiarize them with floating and being underwater. Enroll them in swimming and CPR classes.
  
  
• Use regulation life preservers and floatation devices exclusively. Don’t rely on water wings or air floats for safety.