Water Safety Starts at Home: 7 Ways Colorado Parents Can Create Safer Swimmers
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By Lauri (Thomas) Armstrong, Owner of Little Fins Swim School in Colorado Springs
Introduction: Drowning Prevention Starts Before Swim Lessons
When most parents think about water safety, they picture lifeguards, life jackets, or formal swim lessons. But the truth is, water safety begins long before your child steps into a pool.
As a swim school serving thousands of Colorado families each year, we’ve seen firsthand that the most powerful safety habits are the ones practiced daily, in bathtubs, backyards, and living rooms.
In this guide, we’ll share 7 practical, evidence-based ways Colorado parents can make their children safer around water, from early exposure and supervision habits to year-round swimming and emergency readiness.
“Water safety isn’t a one-time lesson, it’s a lifestyle that starts at home.”
1. Make Water Awareness Part of Daily Life
Children who grow up around calm, positive water experiences develop natural respect for it, not fear. Even small moments, like washing hands or splashing in the tub, can become early lessons in awareness and control.
Start Simple
It may seem like common sense, but it’s important to remember, repetition is how children learn.
Encourage your child to blow bubbles in the bath (teaches breath control).
Have them practice floating on their back in shallow water with your support.
Talk about how to always ask permission before getting into water.
These small routines help children develop a safety mindset early, a skill set that carries into swim lessons later.
Start teaching water awareness early with guided, parent-involved swim classes like Aqua Babies at Little Fins Swim School.
2. Model Safe Water Behavior
Children learn by example. If you jump in without checking depth or supervision, they’ll think it’s okay. Modeling correct behavior teaches them more than any lecture.
Lead by Example
Always wear a life jacket when boating or paddleboarding. It’s a law in most places, but if it’s not in your area, you should always follow this rule.
Never swim without a buddy, even adults.
Enter water feet-first unless you’re in a designated diving area.
Keep glass and electronics away from the pool edge.
Every time your child sees you practicing safe behavior, they absorb that it’s normal and non-negotiable.
3. Supervision Is Your #1 Lifeguard Skill
Drowning is quick, quiet, and often happens when parents are nearby, but distracted. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1–4.
The “Touch Supervision” Rule
For non-swimmers and toddlers, always stay within arm’s reach, also called “touch supervision.” Even in small backyard pools, hot tubs, or bathtubs, one moment of inattention can be catastrophic.
Designate a “Water Watcher”
At gatherings, assign one adult to focus solely on supervision for 15–20 minutes at a time, then switch. Little Fins has a water watcher card you can download, and pass around. When you have the card, that means no phones, no multitasking, no distractions, no exceptions.
4. Secure Your Home and Backyard Water Hazards
Water safety at home goes beyond pools. Even 2 inches of water in a bucket or kiddie pool can pose danger for young children.
Checklist for Colorado Homes
Install self-closing, self-latching gates around pools and hot tubs.
Use pool alarms or door alarms for added protection.
Empty kiddie pools and buckets immediately after use.
Keep bathroom doors closed and toilet lids down for toddlers.
A comprehensive review from Safe Kids Worldwide found that 69% of drownings among young children occur during non-swim times, often in or near the home.
Safety begins where you live. Combine home awareness with swim education for full protection.
See Our Safety-First Lesson Philosophy
5. Practice Water Safety Skills Outside the Pool
You don’t need a pool to teach safety. Reinforce key skills through dryland games and role-play.
Ideas for At-Home Practice
“Ask Permission” Drill: Have your child practice saying, “Can I go in the water?” before entering.
“Roll to Float” Demo: Practice the motion on the floor or bed to reinforce muscle memory.
Safety Storytime: Read books about water safety heroes or lifeguards.
Even pretending helps children mentally rehearse what to do in real-life situations.
Check out these Water Safety Tips from our friends at National Water Safety Month.
Make safety fun: practice at home, then apply those skills in the pool!
Book Your First Trial Swim Lesson
6. Keep Lessons Consistent Year-Round
One of the biggest risks for regression in swimming ability comes from long seasonal breaks.
The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends year-round swim lessons for all children as part of a comprehensive drowning prevention strategy. (AAP Policy Statement)
Why Consistency Matters
Skills like floating and treading water fade quickly without repetition.
Continuous exposure builds comfort and reaction time.
Kids progress faster when lessons are uninterrupted.
Keep your child’s skills sharp with ongoing instruction.
👉 Join Little Fins’ Year-Round Swim Community
7. Teach Emergency Preparedness as a Family
Even with the best prevention, accidents can happen. Teaching kids what to do in an emergency can make a lifesaving difference.
Family Water Safety Plan
Learn CPR: Every adult should be certified, and there are many classes offered in Colorado Springs and across the nation. We love ACE CPR.
Practice “Reach or Throw, Don’t Go”: Teach kids to use a pool noodle, towel, or rescue device instead of entering the water.
Know local emergency numbers: 911 and local first responder information.
Talk through “what if” scenarios calmly and positively, so kids learn without fear.
Empower your whole family with confidence in and around water. Learn More About Little Fins’ Safety-Focused Programs
Conclusion: Small Steps Save Lives
Water safety isn’t just something you learn at the pool, it’s something you live every day. From supervision and early exposure to consistent lessons and CPR training, every step adds a layer of protection and confidence for your child.
At Little Fins Swim School, our mission goes beyond teaching strokes, we teach safety, awareness, and confidence for life. Together, we can make Colorado Springs a community where every child knows how to swim, and every family knows how to stay safe.
About Lauri (Thomas) Armstrong
Lauri (Thomas) Armstrong is the owner of Little Fins Swim School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She has over a 15 years of experience in aquatic education, drowning prevention, and early childhood swim instruction. Under her leadership, Little Fins has become an award-winning program dedicated to safety, skill, and confidence in the water.
With a mission of “Safety first. Skills for life. Awareness for the world,” Lauri has led her team to teach more than 30,000 one-on-one swim lessons annually, empowering families across Colorado through education, community partnerships, and scholarship programs.
Recognized for her leadership in drowning prevention and early childhood swim education, Lauri continues to advocate for programs that make swimming accessible, safe, and joyful for every child. Lauri graduated from Colorado College with an undergraduate Biology degree, and holds a Master’s degree in Leadership from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. (Also known as Lauri Thomas in earlier publications and community swim education initiatives.)