This post is sponsored by Goldfish Swim School. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Spring is right around the corner! I can’t wait to open the windows, bask in the sunshine and take advantage of the warm days to go swimming. In Michigan, there is always water nearby as we’re surrounded by lakes and while I love having so much access to waterfront areas, it can also be nerve-wracking when you have little ones. Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, accounting for 7% of all injury-related deaths (source: WHO). Being surrounded by so much water around us (lakes, pools, ponds), water safety is something that I’m always concerned with.
Swimming and water-related activities can be absolutely wonderful exercise and a part of many memory making spring break and summer activities, but it’s so important to know how to stay safe when in and around water! Swimming can come with risks, but implementing and instilling smart swim and water rules can help to keep everyone safe when on and around the water this year.
Swimming Safety Tips For Kids:
Never Leave Children Unattended Near Water
It only takes seconds for a child to fall into the water or become overwhelmed in the water. An adult (not an older sibling) should always be present. For children under 5, it’s recommended to always be within arms reach. If you need to leave the area – even if it’s just for a minute, take your children with you or be sure to have a responsible, designated adult watching and supervising.
Ask Permission First
Go over the rules regularly and consistently with your children that they must ask permission before going near water (pool, lakes, rivers, etc.) and always have an adult with them at all times.
Swim Lessons
Swimming lessons are so important for children of all ages. We started our children in swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School several months ago (you can read about our experience here) and so glad we started when they were young. Swim lesson are so important in teaching them the skills needed to be safer and more confident in water. Goldfish Swim School has lessons for children beginning at ages 4 months to 12 years that teaches children how to swim, respect the water and have lots of fun while doing it. The staff is wonderful and the facility has everything you could possibly need:
- Fully-trained and CPR certified staff
- Confidence-building curriculum
- Max 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio
- Flexible class times and free make-up lessons (so thankful for that after this flu season!)
- Shiver-free, 90-degree pool
- Kid-friendly amenities like our hair drying station, swimsuit dryers & private changing rooms
- Air-conditioned viewing gallery for parents to relax, work, read, socialize (digitally and personally) and watch their kids swim
- Snack Shack snack bar and Treasure Island Pro Shop for all your needs (our kids love grabbing a post-swim treat)!
With the skills learned at Goldfish Swim School (we love the Clarkston, MI location), my children have learned the basics of swimming and important water safety skills such as pulling themselves out of a pool without a ladder, learning how to get a breath, tread water, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance then get out of the water safely.
If interested in learning more about Goldfish and to see a location near you, click here.
If you’re in the Metro-Detroit Area, be sure to check out Macaroni Kid’s FREE Swim Class Playdate at Goldfish Swim School Clarkston on March 7th! At the event, families can take part in a free 30 minute swim lesson led by Goldfish Swim School’s highly trained and friendly instructors. This is an excellent way to experience first hand what a typical Goldfish swim class is like while helping your child practice skills designed to help them be safer in and out of the water! To learn more, check out the Facebook event or sign up here.
Life-Jackets For Inexperienced or Young Children
Young children and inexperiences swimmers should wear US Coast Guard approved life jackets when in and around water. Inflatables, such as floaties, are not recommended as they can give a false sense of security, can easily slide off or deflate.
Know CPR
Learning CPR and basic First Aid is something that everyone should know! Knowing how to prevent, respond and treat in emergencies is absolutely priceless. You never know when you could save someones life.
Teach Children What To Do In An Emergency
Teaching children what to do if they see someone struggling or drowning in water is so important! Make sure to always have a flotation device around the water, and know exactly where it is. Teach children that if someone appears to be in an emergency situation while swimming, quickly throw it out to him or her before going for help. Stress the importance of keeping themselves safe, while also knowing how to help others as well.
Limit Distractions
As much as we’d all love to sun bathe and read a good book by the pool, when swimming with little ones (or inexperienced swimmers) all your attention needs to be on them to ensure that they are staying safe and to prevent drowning. Drowning can be quick and silent (learn more about signs of drowning) so dedicating all your attention to swimmer safety is a must.
Do you have a Goldfish Swim School near you?
A friend just enrolled her three-year old in swimming lessons. I will be sure to share these useful tips with her!
These are some great tips for being near water with kids. Water play can be loads of fun, but safety is SO important!! Thanks for these great reminders!
These are awesome tips! As a mother, it can be so stressful being around water and kids, so I think limiting distractions is so important!
Kileen
cute & little
These are all must-have tips for your little ones and their swimming habits. I like the idea of getting them used to the idea of asking for permission before continuing any kind of poolside activity.
These are great tips! I think it would help a lot since my kids are taking swimming lessons in 1 month.