Tip of the Month

Swimsuit Color Matters!

While most people want to look good in a swim suit we encourage you to choose the color carefully. Elsa and Frozen swimsuits are very popular, but the color is not ideal for safety reasons. “The light blues, teal and white colors in many popular character swim suits make finding a child under water very difficult” says Haley Armstrong, Little Fins GM, “Adults and kids should think carefully about safety when choosing suit colors.”

1. Choose bright colors.

2. Avoid light blue, gray, and green as they can blend with the water.

3. The color of swimsuit can impact how visible you are in the water, which is critical in preventing drowning.

Open Water Safety Tips

Open Water can be extremely dangerous. Here are a few tips to keep you safe.

1. Swim in a designated swimming area.

2. Know the weather and water conditions.

3. Never swim alone.

4. Choose the right equipment.

5. Wear a USCG-approved life vest.

Outdoor Water Safety Tips

Outdoor water can be dangerous. These tips will help you to be prepared.

1. Learn to swim.

2. Swim in designed areas and by a lifeguard.

3. Wear a life jacket.

4. Know your limits.

5. Obey all hazard signs.

6. Beware of drop-ofs into deep water.

Bath Time Tips

1. Always keep your hand on your child.

2. Have their towel and supplies within reach.

3. Check the water temperature.

4. Never leave child alone in the bath no matter what.

   A child can drown in as little as 1-2 inches of water.

Spring Time Water Safety!

1. Lakes and ponds will begin to thaw but the water temperature is dangerously cold. Be alert when outside near water.

2. Some may travel for Spring Break, always stay observant near pools.

3. Be prepared to navigate emergencies.

Prevent water accidents in the home. 

1. Always close washing machines, toilets, and in-home spas when not in use. 

2. Always empty water from sinks, coolers, and containers. 

3. Always supervise children in the bathroom. 

4. Learn how to perform CPR.

Drownings can happen in as little as 1 inch of water.

Swimming accidents can happen, even in the cold months.

4 Steps to Prevents an winter water accident:

1. Stay away from unfamiliar ice. The thickness of ice can change throughout the season, and from year-to-year.

2. Prioritize swim lessons, even during the cold months.

3. Never leave your child unattended in or around a open hot tub.

4. Be alert when sledding. Snow can cover rivers and creeks, so plan a route that avoids water sources, even if they seem frozen over.

Prevent swimming accidents with these 5 tips!

Teaching your child these simple tips could save their life one day:

1. Step or jump into water that is over your head and return to the surface. Help your child practice rising/kicking to the surface of the water, but ONLY when you are there to supervise.

2. Tread water for one minute. Treading water for a longer amount of time will help your child become a stronger swimmer and be less afraid in deep water. That confidence and strength can be life-saving in an emergency.

3. Swim 25 yards to the exit of the pool.

4. Practice exiting the pool without using a ladder.

5. Never swim alone. Even children who are strong swimmers should never be left unsupervised.

Bath-Time Safety Tips

1. Always supervise babies, toddlers and children under five years in the bath. Never leave older children or siblings to supervise. They don’t have the skills to see and react in an emergency situation

2. Get everything ready in advance so you can stay with your child for bath time – towel, face washer, cotton wool, clean nappy and clean clothes.

3. Let the water out as soon as bath time is over. About 5-10 minutes is long enough for a baby bath.

Are puddle jumpers safe?

Puddle jumpers are U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation devices that are less bulky than a life jacket but safer than inflatable swim devices. These Type III devices are considered a flotation aid. Flotation aids are more appropriate for preschoolers with better body control, but do not turn a wearer face-up in the water like a life jacket will.

If you have a preschooler between 30-50 pounds, you may be interested in trying puddle jumpers. These Type III flotation aids combine elements of a swim aid and a safety vest. Look for a buckle that snaps in the back, which can help keep a child from removing the vest on their own. And, be sure to check the product packaging to ensure the puddle jumper of your choice is a U.S. Coast Guard approved device.

Drowning Quick Facts: Stay In The Know

• In the U.S. drowning takes an average of 3,500-4,000 lives per year. That is an average of 10 fatal drownings per day.

• Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury related death for children ages 1-4. Drowning remains in the top 5 causes of unintentional injury related death from birth to 54 years old.

• In addition to fatal drownings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that in 2016 an additional 9,000+ victims were seen at U.S. Emergency Departments for a non-fatal submersion injury.

• 23% of child drownings happen during a family gathering near a pool.

• Lack of barriers around water contribute to a majority of drowning deaths.

• Learning to swim can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% for 1-4 year olds who take formal swim lessons.

• No one is drown-proof and drowning doesn’t discriminate.

• Drug and alcohol use can be large contributing variables to drowning risk.

• Drowning is the cause of death for most boating fatalities.

• It is estimated that for every fatal drowning victim, another 5 to 10 victims receives hospital related care for non-fatal drowning injuries.

• Drowning is fast and silent. It can happen in as little as 20-60 seconds. Drowning doesn’t always look like we would expect.

• We believe that to prevent drowning, a multitude of safety strategies should be in place to reduce risk. The NDPA utilizes an approach referred to as “Layers of Protection”.

Always Watching…

Watch kids when they are in or around water. Keep young children, and weak swimmers within arm’s reach of an adult. Make sure more experienced swimmers are with a partner every time.

Choose a Water Watcher. When there are several adults present, choose one to be responsible for watching children in or near the water for a certain period of time, such as 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, select another adult to be the Water Watcher.

Winter Water Safety is just as important as Summer Safety.

Here are 5 Tips from our friends at The Zac Foundation:

1. Stay off of unfamiliar ice.

2. Have an emergency plan.

3. Prioritize swim lessons, even during cold weather months.

4. Wear proper clothing for cold water and weather.

5. Never leave your child in a hot tub unattended.