Summer’s coming! That means lazy days at the beach, idle moments spent lounging by the pool, working on your tan while reading that novel everyone’s talking about…. SCREECH. Right, that was before kids.
Although heading to the pool with kids isn’t quite the relaxing event it used to be, it can still be a fun time for everybody – if you know how to stay safe. Here are seven water safety tips to review before heading out to your favorite swimming spot this summer, brought to you by the North Clackamas Aquatic Park.
- Sign your children up for swim lessons at an early age, but never assume that he or she is safe in the water alone.
- Always use the buddy system. Do not allow anyone to swim alone.
- Never turn your back on a child or leave them unattended while they are in or around the water. Keep your toddler or preschooler within arm’s reach.
- Make sure children or inexperienced swimmers wear proper fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water.
- When swimming outdoors, have your children wear sunscreen to avoid sunburns, even when it is cloudy.
- Check the depth of the water before swimming or diving to avoid getting hurt by diving into shallow water.
- Pay attention to your surroundings before getting in the water. Make sure it is safe to swim by reading signs, looking for debris in the water, and avoiding boats and docks.
Ready to head out for a water adventure? Check out this month’s issue of PDX Parent for the ultimate swimming hole guide.
And thanks again to The North Clackamas Aquatic Park for sharing this important content. The North Clackamas Aquatic Park provides the largest Swim Lesson Program at one facility in the state of Oregon. There are classes available for all ages and ability levels. To find out more about swim lessons, session dates and fees, visit ncprd.com/aquatic-park.
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