Submitted by Jenny Wilson for City of Lacey
Warm weather is on the way. Before taking your first dip into summer swimming make sure to review some simple water safety information to keep your family safe.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10 people die from unintentional drowning every day. Drowning is the leading cause of injury death among children ages 1 to 4 years. These statistics are particularly troubling since drowning is preventable with these simple safety tips:
- Stay close and be alert. Despite some myths, an active drowning person won’t call for help. In fact, they will generally struggle at the surface for only 20-60 seconds before submerging. Close parent or adult supervision is the best way to prevent drowning. Stay within arm’s reach of children even if they are just playing on or near a shore. If in a group, have the adults take turns as designated “water watchers.” Avoid distractions like talking, texting or reading.
- Choose swimming areas with lifeguards but don’t rely solely on lifeguards. Consider lifeguards as a bonus layer of supervision but nothing is as good as close parent supervision. Often lifeguards have many swimmers to watch so the best way to prevent a water emergency is to make sure an adult is actively supervising children.
- Learn to swim! With so many water recreation opportunities in Washington, learning to swim is important. Lacey Parks and Recreation offers year-round swim lessons beginning at 12 months old through adult. For more information about swim lessons visit our recreation brochure at www.ci.lacey.wa.us/recguide or call 360-491-0857.
- Not only is it a good idea to wear a life jacket when boating, it’s also the law in Washington State. Children 12 years old and younger must wear a United States Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times when underway in a boat less than 19 feet in length. Each person on board a personal watercraft and anyone being towed behind a vessel must wear a Type I, II, or III United States Coast Guard approved life jacket.
- Avoid alcohol use when swimming, boating, water skiing or supervising children.
- Make sure the area you choose to swim in is safe with no swift currents, rip currents, or water that is too cold.
Get out and have fun swimming but remember to be safe. For more information about swim lessons visit our recreation brochure at www.ci.lacey.wa.us/recguide or call 360-491-0857.
