Six Tips to Keep in Mind for National Water Safety Month

By: Mollie Shauger | Tuesday, May 2, 2023 | Aquatics

Children wearing goggles, smiling at the camera under water.

May is National Water Safety Month. When the weather starts to heat up, the pools, lakes, oceans, rivers and other bodies of water start calling! While swimming can be a very enjoyable activity this summer, it is important to remind all parents and caregivers of the importance of water safety. 

The Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges is sharing these six tips on how children can stay safe in and around the water.

1. Make sure children know to always ask permission before going in or near the water.

Teaching your children to be water smart is the first step in water safety – be sure they understand the importance of asking permission before going in or near the water.

2. Never swim alone or without a water watcher.

When children are swimming, make sure they are actively supervised at all times. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty, or where a responsible adult agrees to watch the children in the water without distractions.

3. Supervise your children whenever they’re in or near water.

Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or lake, make sure your children are within arm’s reach at all times.

4. Don’t engage in breath holding activities.

Children should not hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can cause drowning and has several other severe physical side-effects.

5. Wear a life jacket.

Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

6. Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water.

If a child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural instinct may be to jump in the water to try to save them. Even if a child is a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them and easily pull the rescuer underwater. The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them and pull them to safety. By using this technique children can help their friend without compromising their own safety.

To learn more about the Y’s Safety Around Water program and Y Swim Lessons, visit metroymcas.org.