10 Water Safety Tips for the Best Summer

There may be few better ways to spend a hot summer day than in the water.

Learning to swim safely and basic water safety in and around the water are essential survival skills. Accidents only take a few seconds, but they can usually be prevented by ensuring your loved ones follow simple water safety guidelines.

Pioneers in swimming instruction and water safety, the nation’s YMCAs are celebrating 100 years of group swimming instruction to children and adults. The YMCA offers some water safety tips to help you keep yourself, your family, and your friends safe in and around the water during the summer and at any time of year:

– Make sure an adult constantly supervises children.

– No one, not even adults, should ever swim alone.

– Learn lifesaving, first aid, and CPR techniques for emergencies.

– Always have a stocked first aid kit, phone, emergency numbers, and sunscreen close at hand.

– Follow the posted rules in any water environment.

– Backyard pools should have posted rules, ring buoys, and security fences with self-closing gates and childproof locks.

– If you have an above-ground pool, secure and lock the steps or remove them altogether when not in use.

– Be aware of water depth, incline, and underwater obstructions before diving. Never dive in water less than nine feet deep.

– Children should use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Avoid inflatable toys, including armbands or “swimmies”-they can be dangerous, giving a false sense of confidence.

– Everyone should learn to swim and some basic water safety skills. The YMCA offers swimming classes for all ages and levels.