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Pretty much every kid I know loves the water including my two boys. What’s not to love about it? Splashing around and gliding through water is an amazingly fun way to spend time on hot summer days. Throw in water guns and toys and some major excitement is in the making. Just because swimming is a blast we can’t forget that it also comes with risks.
When I was around 3-4 years old I remember swimming in our neighbor’s pool. It was THE hang out spot and my parents and all the other neighbors were always there. I couldn’t actually swim yet but one of those tube floats got me where I needed to go. You know the kind that looks like a big donut but kid sized.
From what I remember, there was a ton of people around the pool and maybe even it in. Well, being the rambunctious child I was I decided to jump in the pool with my tube float thinking I was all that. Big mistake. I went right through the center of the tube and to the bottom of the pool. Luckily, someone dove in and got to me right away but it freaked me out to say the least. That ended that particular pool outing for me.
What if I had been alone or only with other children? Things could have turned out a lot different. Now being a mother, I am so thankful for foundations like ZAC that want all children especially those ages 5-9 to learn the importance of water safety.
The ZAC Foundation wants to give parents and their children all the tools they need to be safe around water. Through education and advocacy programs, the ZAC Foundation provides a wealth of water safety tips, resources and programming (ZAC Camps) to parents and children of all ages that clue them into things like drain entrapment and the ABC&D’s of water safety.
The ABC&D’s of Water Safety
- ADULT: Never let children be alone near or in a pool, ocean, lake, or river. Children should be taught to never swim without an adult present.
- BARRIER: Have a four-sided fence that goes around your pool with a self-locking gate.
- CLASSES: Kids and adults should take safety classes like swim lessons and CPR.
- DRAINS: ALL swimmers should stay away from all pool and spa drains to avoid becoming trapped by the suction.
Drain Safety
- Instruct all swimmers to stay away from drains.
- Do NOT encourage swimmers to use diving toys, which often migrate to drains.
- Tie up long hair.
- Do NOT swim with loose fitting clothing or jewelry.
- If a drain cover becomes loose or falls off, shut down the pool or spa immediately.
There is nothing scarier than the thought of something terrible happening to your child especially if you could have done something to prevent it. Pools and other water recreation spots are fun but can be extremely dangerous if you don’t know how to swim. That’s why this summer my kids are taking private swimming lessons. I want them to be the water bugs they are but safe ones!
Now for some exciting news! From Monday, May 16 at 9pm PT – Monday, June 13 at 9pm PT the ZAC Foundation is giving away 15 Summer Fun Kits (ARV $50). Winners will be randomly selected and notified by Clever Girls and/or The ZAC Foundation by June 20. Happy entering!!
At what age did you learn to swim?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
Raspberry Pomegranate Lemonade Popsicles #KeepOnCruzin #momsmeet
As an avid water baby and swimmer I love this topic. So often parents think, “Well they have floaties or a tube so they’re all good.” I had lifeguard training and it’s a travesty what can happen within a matter of seconds. This is perfect as we get into summer months.
Yes – water safety is a MUST. Kids need to know what to do, just in case. I know moms who have babies not even a year old who do these water classes!
Karen | GlamKaren.com
waterr safety is so important. Especially here in Fl where we swi almost year around.
Living in South Florida, water safety is always a huge concern for me! Everyone has a pool and there are canals & “lakes” everywhere! So glad all my kids can swim now!
I used to be terrified of my kids in water. Being a lifeguard and seeing what could go wrong, made it worse. These are great tips.
This is so important! My children are great swimmers, but I am often afraid that their confidence will lead them to trouble.
Water safety is very important to me since my younger son has epilepsy and has to be monitored when he’s in the water. It’s so important to be ready in case there is any water emergency.
This is so needed! Such a great reminder of really important rules! When people get lax around pools and lakes things can go terribly wrong!
The ABCDs are great. I really like the idea that not only is it important for children to be supervised by a responsible adult, but that children should be taught to not swim without supervision as well.
Great post, and thank you for writing about this topic.
Awesome post! My kids are water babies, they started learning how to swim as early as a few months. Water safety is very important to my wife and myself because she lost her younger sister through a drowning accident when they were kids.
I’m sorry to hear about your wife’s sister. That’s so sad. I bet your kids swim like fish!