Summertime is fun time! And for many of us that means swimming. Frisco Insurance would like to remind you that swimming is always more fun when taking some basic safety precautions. After all, we want everyone in the group (and especially the young ones) to return safe and sound from their swimming adventures.
Please keep in mind that different levels of alertness may be required in accordance with different swimming locations such as:
- Lakes
- Oceans
- Swimming pool at home
- Large, public swimming pools
- Watering holes at the bottom of a waterfall
- Swimming areas with no lifeguards
In other words, “one size does not fit all” when it comes to swimming safety. Here’s an interesting statistic from the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA):
“Learning to swim (though swimming lessons) can reduce the risk of drowning by 88%.”
We’d like to offer 10 great tips to make sure your loved ones and friends are protected as much as possible when in the water:
- Obey the rules. Look for posted signs that indicate designated and approved swim areas and obey them. Even if there’s a lifeguard on duty, stay vigilant and check on the group (counting all members) intermittently.
- What kind of water? As we mentioned above, oceans are a very different animal than home swimming pools. Even experienced swimmers get swept out to sea, sometimes.
- Children should always ask permission to swim.
- Learn CPR. Ideally, one member of the swimming group will know CPR.
- As always, avoid drugs or alcohol while swimming or watching over swimmers.
- Look before you leap! Are you diving head-first into the unknown? Please be wary of diving into bodies of water that may have jagged rocks or objects just below the surface.
- Take extra care with the young ones… swim diapers or Coast Guard-approved jackets for young children can save them from harm.
- Animals and tides can be an important factor in large bodies of water. Remember that people sometimes get stung by jellyfish or attacked by sharks so please be aware of your environment. If someone is in trouble, do your best to reach out to them with a stick or throw them a lifeline instead of adding to the danger yourself by trying to swim out to them on your own (and risking two people in need of rescue) — especially if a lifeguard is present.
- Watch out for lightning and weather! Lightning is incredibly dangerous when you’re in the water. Avoid storms (even without any lightning) completely.
- Last but not least… don’t drink alcohol while engaging in water activities.
Here is another sobering statistic from the NDPA:
“23% of child drownings happen during a family gathering near a pool.”
We mention this to underscore the importance of remaining vigilant — especially as the numbers in the group increase. Please remember that babies can drown even in one inch of water. Thus, make sure the “kiddie pool” is empty after each use.
If you have a pool at home, compliance is important. Pools must be surrounded by a locked fence that is at least four feet high and the drain covers in the pool must comply with regulations.
We, at Frisco Insurance, hope the above tips help you and your family enjoy the best summer, yet! Call us at 214-705-3482 with any questions or inquire about low-cost, excellent insurance here.
