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Kids Water Play Safety

Written by Stephan Aarstol

On hot summer days, swimming is a great way to have fun and cool off. Remember to be safe when you are swimming and always follow pool and beach rules. Safety tips, like staying with a swimming buddy or listening to the lifeguard are simple, but they can go a long way in making sure you have a safe and healthy summer. If proper pool, beach, or swimming safety is not practiced, swimmers risk getting hurt or drowning. The following are some tips to help you have a safe and healthy summer by the pool.

What To Wear

Whether it is a set of swim trunks for boys, a tankini, bikini, or one-piece swimsuit, wearing the proper swim gear is important. Swimsuits are made of breathable material and help to protect the body from infection and bacteria that live in the water. If your child is not yet a strong swimmer, it is also important that the wear a flotation device, like a life-jacket or "floaties". They come in many different styles, from devices that attach to the child's swimsuit, to less restrictive, but still protective, "floaties" that slip onto the child's arms, these swim aids will give kid's make it easy to swim and play in the water and help to keep children from getting a mouth-full of pool water.

Types of Life Jackets - Make sure your life jacket fits and is fastened correctly before going into the water.

Wear Your Life Jacket - A kid-friendly PDF to help kids understand why life vests are so important..

Personal Flotation Devices - A PDF with tons of information about different safety devices to use in the water.

Pool Safety

Playing in the pool is a great way to pass the time on hot summer days, but before jumping in, it's important that kids know how to keep themselves safe when they are in and around the swimming pool. Swimming with a buddy is a great way to stay safe, look out for each other and make sure that a friend does not wonder off or away from the group. Swimming in areas where the child can touch the floor of the pool comfortably is also important, and simple pool rules, like no running around the pool of diving into shallow water are great rules for a safe and healthy summer by the pool.

Drowning Prevention - Information and resources that will promote pool and swimming safety.

Pool Safety for Kids - Information and statistics about swimming and pool safety. Make sure you are prepared before diving in this summer.

Splash Zone USA - A website for kids about the importance of safety around the swimming pool.

Backyard Pool Safety - Tips to help your children enjoy their summer by the pool safely.

Swimming Safety - Learn why it is important to stay safe around the swimming pool.

Pool Safety Pointers - Tips to helping your kids stay happy and healthy by the pool this summer.

Pool Safety Resources - Information and resources that emphasize the importance of pool safety.

Lake, River, and Ocean Safety

Swimming in a lake or in the ocean is a much different experience than swimming in a pool. Open bodies of water, like oceans, may have a strong current. Children should stay out of the water if the current is too strong; it can make it very difficult to swim back to shore and can be very dangerous. Only swim in areas that have a life guard on duty. Wearing protective footwear is also a good practice when swimming in a lake or ocean. Water shoes will protect your feet from shape objects that you may not be able to see under the sand, like sharp shells or rocks.

BeachKids: Safety - Kid-friendly resources for kids about staying safe on the beach.

Ocean Safety: Currents and Tides - Learn what a tide or current is, and learn how to stay safe at the ocean.

Top 10 Beach and Ocean Tips for Kids - Follow these easy tips and you will have a fun and safe time at the beach this summer.

Beach and Water Safety - Easy to learn pointers to keep kids safe by the water and at the beach.

Boat Safety

Boat rides in the summer are lots of fun, activities like fishing, knee boarding, water-skiing, tubing, and swimming are great for families with children. Before you hop into the boat for a ride, make sure to take all of the safety precautions, like wearing a life jacket, storing flotation devices on the boat, and plenty of waterproof sun block.

Safe Boating - A Kid-friendly website about the importance of boating safety.

Boat Safety Tips for Kids - Illustrated boating safety tips and information for children.

Boating Education for Kids - Learn about proper boat safety and some simple boating rules.

Boating Safety & Resources - Easy to follow boating safety information and resources for the whole family.

Boating Safety Coloring Book - This PDF activity book will help young children understand proper boat safety.

Swimming Safety

No matter where you are swimming, it is important that you stay safe and avoid roughhousing in or around the water. Life jackets, swimming buddies, and lifeguards are all great important. If you are swimming and you or a friend is hurt or in a dangerous situation, make sure you get the attention of a grown up or lifeguard to help you. Avoid swimming in deep water and stay in areas of the water you are comfortable swimming in. 

Swimming Rules - Follow these rules to make sure you are safe when swimming. Even experienced swimmers should follow these rules.

Six Steps to Healthy Swimming - These six easy steps are important to helping you stay health and have fun when you're in the water.

Water Safety Resources - Information for parents and children to help them stay safe by the pool or on the beach this summer.

Keeping Children Safe: Water Safety - Simple rules to remember around the pool.

Ultimate Swimming Safety Guide - An extended resource guide to swimming safety.