MAY
National Water Safety Month!
You pack some snacks, towels, and toys to keep them occupied. You lather them up in sunscreen to protect them from those harmful rays, and you even agree to go down the slide (just once!) to make them happy. You do a lot for the people you care about- keeping them safe should be one of them. May is National Water Safety Month, so it only seems fitting to offer you some tips and tricks to keep your family safe this season.
Drowning is Nondiscriminatory
Many people assume children are the only ones susceptible to drowning when in fact, everyone is at risk. It’s true you should keep a closer eye on children and inexperienced swimmers; however teenagers and the elderly are prone to submersion as well. Below are tips for each age group- pass this information along to your friends and family to spread the word about water safety.
Children
- Be sure inexperienced swimmers are wearing life jackets or flotation devices (swimmies) to help them stay afloat in the water.
- Never take your eye off of young children when they’re around water.
- Inform young kids about the dangers of the deep end, and only allow them to swim in deeper areas if you’re confident in their swimming abilities.
- Lifeguards are not babysitters; don’t assume they’ll watch your kids for you.
- Have a telephone close by in case of an emergency.
Kids and Teens
- Don’t allow underage drinking, as it exponentially increases chances of drowning.
- Running around the pool area should be prohibited- serious injuries can easily be caused by falling on slippery surfaces.
- Don’t assume your children, or their friends, are strong swimmers. A parent or guardian should always be present.
Elderly
- Don’t stay in saunas or whirlpools for too long, as you’re likely to become dizzy and dehydrated.
- Switching from cold-water pools to hot tubs increases blood pressure. Allow adequate time for your body to adjust to the difference in temperature, instead of moving from one to the other.
- Wear water shoes to reduce the chances of slips and falls around the pool deck.
- Respect your boundaries and don’t venture into potentially unsafe areas.
- Use a flotation device if necessary.
For those of you with pools of your own, be sure to follow standard safety precautions. You can reduce the likelihood of accidents, injuries, and drowning by keeping flotation devices near the pool. Be sure to spell out the pool rules and guidelines to your family members and visitors, and keep emergency and first aid equipment close by. Remember to have the drains inspected and cleaned out regularly, and invest in a fence to guard your pool. For more information about how to keep your investments and loved ones safe, contact a Miller’s Insurance agent today.