Tips to Keep Kids Safe at the Pool, Beach, or Lake

Are you planning a vacation to the beach or a stay at a lake house this summer? Or maybe the plan is to just lounge by the pool on the weekend. Since safety should always be paramount, here are some important tips for keeping your kids out of danger.

1) Proper Equipment

Know where you are going and be sure to have a life vest if your child has trouble swimming. A pool should have clear indicators for where the shallow side ends. If you are swimming in a lake it may be best to wear water shoes. As always, it can never hurt to bring a first aid kit in case of emergencies.

2) Sun Screen

We all know how important it is to apply sunscreen, however we often forget how important it is to reapply. If you are going to be out in the sun for extended periods of time, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours.

3) Hydration

If you are in and out of the water all day, it may be easy to forget that you need to actually drink water. Swimming is a sport that burns a significant amount of calories, if you do not stay hydrated a swimmer can get tired or cramp very quickly which may lead to injury. Remember to drink 12 oz. of water every hour.

4) Rip Tides

If you are swimming in the ocean, rip tides or rip currents are a dangerous force of nature to be aware of. A rip tide is a fast current of water that moves directly away from the beach. If you are caught in a riptide, swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the current. You can also listen to the popular song Riptide, but this will not make swimming in the ocean any safer.

[embedvideo id=”KkObAXrjpzs” website=”youtube”]

5) Sharks

Sharks have been in the news recently with several incidents occurring in North Carolina. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while at the beach this summer.

Avoid swimming at dawn, dusk or at night: This is when sharks are most likely to come to shallower water to feed.
Be around other people: Similar to a school of smaller fish who swim in groups to appear bigger, we can do the same by swimming in groups.
Don’t swim if you have open cuts: Sharks’ sense of smell is amazing, and they can detect blood up to a 1/3 mile away.
Don’t Panic: Sharks are attracted to splashing and agitated water.
Fight Back: If the shark gets close enough to you, be aggressive and try to hit the shark in a downward direction.

While shark attacks have been on the increase lately, they are still relatively rare occurrences. Read more facts on sharks.

Please share any of your safety tips in the comments to help other parents keep kids safe. Be sure to read Red Cross Safety Tips for more information and tips to keep your kid safe.

Family, Travel

1) Proper Equipment

2) Sun Screen

3) Hydration

4) Rip Tides

5) Sharks

Related Articles