Water Safety Tip for Families

Insist on Adult Supervision.

• Swim in areas where there are lifeguards when possible.
• Constantly watch your children in or near the water.
• Keep young children within arm's reach.
• Assign adults to watch children at social events.
• Never drink or allow the use of alcohol or other drugs during water and boating activities or while supervising children.

Learn to Swim.

• If you don't know how to swim well, find someone to teach you.
• Learn to tread water for at least 10 minutes.
• Make sure your children learn to swim. Upgrade their swimming skills each year. Check about lessons at your local pool or lifeguarded beach.

Know the Water.

• Make sure the water is safe for diving. When in doubt, don't dive or jump.
• Check for hidden objects, currents and water plants.
• Be aware that cold water can kill, even on hot summer days. Stay close to shore and rest if you are cold or tired.

Wear a Life Vest.

• Always wear a life vest when you are on a boat, innertube or raft, even if you can swim. Children also need life vests on docks and when they are near the water.
• Wear a life vest if you are swimming in lakes and rivers. It's easy to misjudge the water and your swimming skills. Trouble can happen quickly.
• Life vests allow you to swim and cool off. They allow a full range of motion to do all your strokes (except swimming under water).
• Make sure your life vest is U.S. Coast Guard approved.

Know what to do in an Emergency.

• Learn child and adult CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
• Bring a cell phone with you or know where to find the nearest phone.
• Dial 911 in an emergency.

Find out more information at:

http://www.seattlechildrens.org/dp