Water Safety While Traveling with Kids

This article is a guest post by British Swim School of MD & VA

When traveling with kids, remember drowning is preventable!   Take your common sense with you; don't leave it at home!

1) NEVER let your child in any body of water without adult supervision.  NEVER.  There is no such thing as WATER SAFE or DROWN PROOF.  Even children who know how to swim can get into trouble quickly in pools, lakes, rivers and oceans

2)    Teach your child to always swim with a buddy, never swim alone.

3)    PAY ATTENTION to your child.  PUT THAT CELLPHONE DOWN!  It only takes a few seconds for a child to drown. Always assign an adult to be in charge of WATER WATCHING, never assume someone else is doing it.

4)    NEVER rely on water wings, pool noodles, water rings or any other sort of “toy” floatation device to save your child.

5)    ALWAYS swim near a Lifeguard.  Teach your children to constantly be looking for the lifeguard.  When in the ocean, teach your children about undertow and to always swim in between the flags that the lifeguards post on the beaches.  Teach your child to pay attention to any warning flags on the beach.  DO NOT RELY ON THE LIFEGUARD TO WATCH YOUR CHILD!

6)    While on a boat or any other watercraft, ensure your child is wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD) that fits. Do not let them on the watercraft without one.

7)    Take frequent breaks from the water, make sure your child is hydrated and make sure you stop swimming when your child is tired.