National Water Safety Month

May is National Water Safety Month! Did you know that about 3,600 injuries a year occur to children due to water? It only takes a moment for a water accident to occur. Follow these tips to ensure your whole family is safe when around water:

1. Know your limitations, including physical fitness, and/or medical conditions.

2. Never swim alone; swim with lifeguards present.

3. Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket appropriate for your weight and size and the water activity. Always wear a life jacket while boating, regardless of swimming skill.

4. Know how to call for help.

5. Understand and adjust for the unique risks of the water environment you are in.

Keep your children safe by:

1. Always put a life jacket on your child when in or around water.

2. Stay within touching distance of your child.

3. Always be watching your child in or around water.

4. Swim where there is a life guard present.

5. Make sure your child's swimsuit is bright and can easily be seen in the water.

6. Teach your child to wait for your “OK” before getting into the water.
   

Some great resources are:

• https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/keeping-kids-healthy/prevention/water-safety-for-children-birth-to-5-years/#:~:text=Put%20your%20child%20in%20a,in%20or%20near%20the%20water.

• https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/keeping-kids-healthy/prevention/water-safety-for-children-birth-to-5-years/#:~:text=Put%20your%20child%20in%20a,in%20or%20near%20the%20water.

• https://www.safekids.org/watersafety

• https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Water-Safety-And-Young-Children.aspx