Drowing Prevention and Water Safety Tips with Goldfish Swim School

Thank you Goldfish for sponsoring this post. As always, content is 100% honest and my own.

If you're looking for something fun to do this Spring Break without the crowds or having to travel too far, I've got you covered!  Why not spend your time at Goldfish Swim School?!

Goldfish will be open during Spring Break with fun jumpstart clinics (learn more here) to help your kiddos get a little refresh course on swimming basics and safety, which is so important with the warmer weather approaching and Summer just around the corner.

Here are some water safety tips to keep with you as you take your kiddos to the pool and beach.

W - Wear your Life Jacket: This is one of the easiest ways to increase safety in the water. There are plenty of different types of life jackets to fit all sizes – pay attention to proper fit.

 A– Act. Throw! Don’t go: Do your kids know what to do in a swimming emergency? They should ACT! Their first instinct may be to go towards the person having trouble in the water. Instead, they should throw a life preserver – and don’t go! That way, they aren’t putting themselves in jeopardy as well and are truly able to help. 

 T– Take Swim Lessons: You can start your child in swim lessons as early as four months old where they can begin learning swim and safety skills while building character through guided play. 

E– Educate. Learn Swim Safety Skills: Key water safety skills can go a long way – such as the crab walk, properly getting in and out of the pool, going under water, rolling on their back, treading water, learning different strokes. 

R– Respect. Play it Cool and Follow the Rules: Rules are there for a reason, especially when it comes to rules for the pool. Walk, don’t run; make sure an adult is watching; no horseplay. Review rules together as a family before setting your kids loose to enjoy the water. 

Did you know that drowning is the single leading cause of injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4 and it remains the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 5-19 years.  That is so scary to think about, especially when it can be prevented.  

Do you also know that Goldfish has an outstanding W.A.T.E.R. Safety Program that they LOVE to share with local schools, preschools and groups! They take Goldfish on the road and arrive ready to present their FREE 20 minute safety program in a FUN and engaging way! Students go home with water safety knowledge and a goodie bag full of lots of fun! Sound great? Give them a call or send them an email and they will get you on their 2019 calendar! This is definitely an opportunity that you don't want to miss out and and did I mention it's FREE.  You've got nothing to lose!

American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that:

 

Parents and caregivers never leave children alone or in the care of another child while in or near bathtubs, pools, spas, or other open water.

Adults should empty water from buckets and other containers immediately after use.

Do not leave young children alone in the bathroom. Toilet locks can prevent drowning of toddlers.

When infants or toddlers are in or around the water, a supervising adult with swimming skills should be within an arm's length, providing constant "touch supervision."

Even with older children and better swimmers, the supervising adult should focus on the child and not be engaged with other distracting activities.