* Baby Otter sponsored this post, but all opinions are 100% my own. If you live in Florida and have a child that does not yet know how to swim, I highly recommend you calling Baby Otter Swim School!
Every month brings with it a theme. February is Black History Month. March is National Women’s History Month. May’s theme is a bit different than the two mentioned as it is one that we hold dear to our hearts – Water Safety Month.
Did you know that about 1 in 5 people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger? Children ages 1 to 4 have the highest rates of drowning and among these children most of the drowning occurs in a home swimming pool. These scary statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are why it is so important to teach our little ones how to swim.
I live in a state where water is everywhere – lakes, the ocean and in our backyards. Home swimming pools are so commonplace due to the weather. It is imperative that we know what is needed to stay safe in the water! Below are some pointers that can be easily followed.
5 IMPORTANT WATER SAFETY TIPS
LEARN TO SWIM:
As mentioned earlier, water is all around us. Learning to swim is the first and most important way to defend oneself against drowning.
If you live in the South Florida area, I recommend calling Baby Otter to see which program is best suited for your child. Voted the Best Swim/Fitness Program in South Florida by South Florida Parenting Magazine, Baby Otter’s instructors come to your swimming pool, making it more comfortable for the future swimmer and super convenient.
Marlene, one of the owners of Baby Otter knows it can be frustrating finding the right school for your child. “My daughter had no fear of the water, and at the age of 18 months loved to just walk into the pool. Since she had no water skills, I would have to go in after her. I tried to find someone to teach her to swim, because I was only taught to teach from ages three and up. I could not find anyone to teach her so I spent the summer experimenting with my friend’s children and came up with this five-day water survival program. The Turn, Kick, Reach Swimming program has been successfully teaching children for over thirty- seven years.”
Mindy, the second half of the Baby Otter duo had to endure a frightening experience before realizing what a necessity it is to teach our children how to swim as soon as we can. “I became involved with the Turn, Kick, Reach technique after my child who at the time was 17 months old was found at the bottom of a pool. Fortunately, I knew CPR, and was able to revive her. Marlene had been after me for months to sign my daughter up for lessons, and I called her immediately telling her what happened. My daughter was in lessons practically, the next day. After experiencing what the TKR Program could do for my daughter’s safety and my peace of mind, I knew it was my mission to save lives by working with Marlene bringing the Turn, Kick, Reach program to the world. I now have two grandchildren who both learned the Turn, Kick, Reach method before they were a year old. They are both very confident swimmers who love being in the water. The peace of mind I have is priceless.”
LAYERS OF PROTECTION:
There are many things that you can do to safeguard your home.
- If you have a swimming pool, make sure that there is proper fencing surrounding the entire pool. Whether it is a baby fence or structural chain link/aluminum, this fence should be at least 4’ tall and have a lock that is not accessible for children.
- You can also install a pool alarm to alert you should someone open any of the doors or windows leading to the pool area.
- If you cannot locate your child, check the pool first.
LEARN CPR:
Local hospitals and the Red Cross frequently offer CPR classes. One can also search the Internet if there are other local groups or even if the library offers a class.
DO NOT LEAVE TOYS IN THE POOL:
They are magnets for kids. A ball left floating in the pool may seem attainable to a little one.
SPREAD THE WORD:
Make swimming part of the conversation with family and friends. Join Baby Otter Andre Dawson as we push to make Florida a ZERO drowning state. It can be done, but everyone’s help is needed!
Beth | Daily Dog Tag says
This is such an important post. When we were house shopping many years ago I was pregnant with my second child; I couldn’t even look at a house with an in-ground pool because I was so worried about a tragic accident. Perhaps if I had read something like this, I would have had the confidence that we could keep our toddlers safe.
Dana says
I understand how you feel. I was so against us putting a pool in at our previous home for the same reason.
lesley sullivan says
Thank you for sharing! We’re currently teaching our son water safety, perfect timing! I definitely think it’s something every parent should read.
Dana says
I am so glad to hear that you are teaching your son water safety Lesley!!!!
Jenn says
Cute pics. I need to get my little guy in swimming lessons. I didn’t know it was National Water Safety month..good to know.
Dana says
Jenn, they say you can schedule swimming lessons as early as when they start to crawl!
Rebecca Swenor says
What a frightening story indeed and I am glad she is okay. Water safety is so important to learn for everybody as well as CPR. Thanks for spreading the awareness.
Dana says
I’m glad I can be a part of spreading the message! 🙂
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
These are all such important tips. Something can happen in the blink of an eye, so better to be safe than sorry.
Dana says
I completely agree Robin! It’s so scary.
rachel says
So true! When I was like 2 years old I used to just run and jump into pools. I wanted to be a mermaid so learning to swim early was a big deal.
Rachel | http://www.theconfusedmillennial.com
Dana says
I love that you wanted to be a mermaid when you were little, Rachel!!
Jasmine Eclipse says
This is great to raise awareness. It’s a simple reminder, and it’s something that should come naturally, but unfortunately water safety slips minds far too often! Thank you for working to educate people on this important topic!
Dana says
Jasmine you are so right when you say how it sometimes slips minds too often. It is my pleasure to educate people on a topic as important as this and hope it helps!!
Jeanine says
Love this. Water is so dangerous especially for little ones that I sometimes don’t think people realize or remember I was telling my oldest about it and he had no idea kids could drown in little water etc! It’s so great to raise awareness.
Dana says
I’m glad you like this post Jeanine! I agree with you that sometimes people don’t realize that it can take seconds and as you mentioned, a very little amount of water. I am so glad you teach your children the importance of water safety!
Ana Elizabeth says
These tips are really important. I agree that CPR is really important because drowning can happen anywhere, whether pool or sea. It can save lives. Thanks for these tips. Gonna share this to my friends. 🙂
Dana says
Thanks for reading, Ana! You are so right that drowning doesn’t only happen in a pool…it can happen in lakes and the ocean too…so scary!
tabitha willette says
We don’t have much water here in town but I would love to get my son swim lessons. Better safe then sorry. I will def have to check out and see if they do lessons in town for his age.
Dana says
Tabitha, I agree – better to be safe than sorry. Google “swimming lessons” and your city/town and see what comes up. If you have a local YMCA, I believe they offer lessons as well.
Tammy says
Learning to swim is soooo important and I haven’t seen a young child not learn how to swim. Its just so important. Who cares that they don’t learn swimming technique. But learning how to keep a float to save their life is most important. Great advice and post
Dana says
Thank you Tammy – I completely agree with you! As long as they can bring themselves safely to the poolside, that is good for me!
Heather Lawrence says
Where we live the only time our kids get in the water is if we are in the pool at the YMCA.
We don’t have all the outdoor pools here in Canada (too cold) but we make sure the kids all take lessons so they know how to be safe around the water.
Dana says
Heather, that is awesome that you make sure the kids have swimming lessons!
Shann Eva says
Swimming and CPR are a must, especially in summer. I took all my boys for lessons last summer and plan to do it again this summer. It’s just too scary, and I don’t want to be unprepared.
Dana says
I agree with you Shann…it is so scary what “could” happen. So glad you are going to continue the swimming lessons this summer too!
LeighAnn says
Wow! I didn’t realize it was water safety month! You taught me something new!
Dana says
Glad I could teach you something new LeighAnn!! 🙂
Colette S says
It’s still on my list to learn CPR.
This is a very helpful list.
Which I will need to mention again with my kids as they do summer camps.
Dana says
Thank you Colette! Does their summer camp offer swimming lessons?
rika says
Great article with useful water safety tips! I think every parent should know these tips
Dana says
Thank you Rika! I agree with you – water safety is so important!
Eileen Mendoza Loya says
Thank you for these tips! It is always a must to practice water safety and keep an eye on the little ones. Sharing this with my sister.
Dana says
My pleasure Eileen! Thank you for sharing too!!
Brandy says
I really need to learn CPR as well as put the boys into a swimming class, they seem to think they CAN swim, but reality is they have no clue and it scares me when they go out too deep in the ocean or a pool.
Dana says
Brandy – my biggest concern was that my boys were fearless too! They would want to jump in, not realizing that they couldn’t help themselves after. CPR is another GREAT class to take. I think I need a refresher!
Justine Marie says
So glad all my kids can swim, was so worrisome.
Dana says
I can totally understand Justine!
Stephanie Pass says
Water safety is one of the most important things to teach kids. Mine have been in lessons since they were babies.
Dana says
That is so great that your kids know how to swim, Stephanie!
Vera Sweeney says
Kids and water can be such a scary combination!! Love these tips for water safety, it doesn’t take long for something to happen.
Dana says
I agree with you Vera! I was so hesitant to get a pool in my old home because of the fear of what could happen.
Amy says
Water safety is very important, especially with little ones. These are all great tips, and I always recommend people get CPR certified because you just never know when something is going to happen.
Dana says
Amy, so true. It’s better to learn CPR and never use it than not know it when it is really needed!
Terri Beavers says
I’m glad to know that water safety is important enough to have a month of reminders to stay safe. I worry about all kids that live near the water and can just fall in if unsupervised.
Dana says
I am with you on that Terri!
Chelsea says
Super important tips! My cousin fell into a pool when he was 2 years old and his parents weren’t looking at the moment. He survived but had to learn how to walk, talk and everything all over again 🙁 He’s doing great now though, and is in his early 20s.
Dana says
Wow, that must have been so scary. I fell in a pool when I was little too. I was playing with shells at the side of the pool and one fell in. I wasn’t wearing my swimmies and it didn’t even phase me that I actually needed them. I walked right into the pool and thankfully my dad saw me. I remember the water covering my head and seeing the blue pool tiles. My dad jumped in with his regular clothes on, wallet in pocket and all, and basically saved me. That was a big eye opener for my parents to teach me to swim!
Emily Kib says
I was at the lake yesterday with my family and we have a swimming pool as well so I completely agree with the importance of water safety! There are so many things to take into account and it saddens me that so many kids never learn to swim. Great tips!
Dana says
Thanks Emily – I am so glad that you too see the importance of teaching our children how to swim and water safety in general!
Allison Jones says
These are so important to learn this time of year! We spend a lot of time at the pool so I appreciate you for sharing.
LiveLifeWell,
Allison
Dana says
Totally agree Allison, and thank you!
The Southern Thing says
These are great tips to share and spread awareness with!
Happy Hiller says
These tips seem really helpful! Thank you!
Dana says
Thank you! I am glad they are helpful!
Dana says
My pleasure!