Minnesota is the land of 11,842 lakes, though 10,000
does have more splash. For those of us living in Minnesota, we’ve
all been exposed to a body of water or two, and undoubtedly have heard a few
water safety tips: don’t run on the dock, wear a lifejacket, wait 30 minutes to
swim after you eat (that’s a myth, by the way). As the temperatures begin to rise, the
temptation to rush down to the beach or pool gets greater every day. Before you
dive in, remind yourself and your loved ones of proper water safety tips to
ensure that everyone has a safe and fun time.
General
Swimming Tips
The best offense is a good defense; all swimmers
should arm themselves with the right tools in order to practice swim safety.
●
Take
a safety course. Everyone who goes swimming - especially
kids - should have had age-appropriate swim lessons. Enroll your family in
courses that emphasize basic water safety skills, emergency survival
techniques, important strokes, and how to tread water. Look for classes that
focus on water safety, home pool safety, first aid, and CPR/AED to learn how to
prevent and react to emergencies. The Red Cross offers excellent options for swimming
and water safety courses.
●
Establish
rules and boundaries. Set rules and limits, and
consistently enforce them. These rules should be based on each swimmer’s
ability and age.
●
Always
swim with a buddy. Swimming with a buddy is not only more
fun, but it can help ensure each other’s safety.
●
Avoid
distractions. When supervising young children, avoid
distracting elements and focus on staying within an arm’s reach of young
children as they navigate the water.
●
Sun
safety matters. Protect your skin and eyes from the
dangers of being in the sun for too long. Apply waterproof and sweat proof
sunscreen liberally 20 minutes before you go out. Wear protective eyewear to
minimize sun glare and to properly supervise your family.
Safety
in Natural Bodies of Water
●
Know
your environment. In lakes, rivers, ocean beaches, and
other natural bodies of water, watch for cold temperatures, currents, and
underwater hazards that could pose a danger to water safety. Be on the lookout
for currents and changes in weather that could drastically alter your swimming
environment. Consider water shoes to protect your feet in rocky beaches.
●
Boat
safety matters. You might feel safer when in a boat, canoe, or kayak, but water safety
matters even in cases of implied protection. Equip your passengers with
maintained and appropriately-sized lifejackets.
Pool
Safety
●
Supervision
at all times. Actively supervise young swimmers whenever
they are around the water, don’t rely solely on a lifeguard. Designate a
responsible adult to supervise.
●
Keep
the pool area safe. Remove any ladders, outdoor furniture,
or anything climbable that provide access to the pool when not in use. Use
safety barriers as well. Secure your home pool cover when the pool is not in
use. Install tall gates and enclosures that are high enough to be out of the
reach of small hands. Consider pool alarms as an added layer of security.
●
Be
aware of your surroundings. Don’t let your guard down around
man-made bodies of water like pools. Be aware, and remind your kids to not play
around drains or suction fittings.
Water safety
is a necessity in the summer months, but it shouldn’t take away from the fun to
be had splashing around on a hot day. Remind your family and friends (without
being a nag) of water safety so becomes second nature as they enjoy the water
this summer.
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