With summer around the corner, families everywhere are gearing up for days spent by the water. We don’t want to sound alarm bells, but it’s important to remember that while swimming brings endless joy and hours of fun, it can also be dangerous. Here are some essential tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable swimming experience for the whole family:
- Supervision is key: It sounds obvious, but never leave children unattended near water; whether it’s a pool, lake, or beach. It can be easy to get distracted when the kids are splashing in shallow water and you’ve been dying to put your feet up all day, but accidents can happen quickly.
- Teach water safety: Where possible, educate children about the dangers of water and the importance of swimming only in designated areas with lifeguards present. Teach them basic water safety rules, such as never swimming alone and always asking for permission from an adult before entering the water.
- Learn CPR: Although we hope it won’t be required, knowing CPR can be a lifesaver in the event of an emergency and is well worth learning regardless. There are tons of CPR courses available if you decide you’d like to learn this essential skill. Passing knowledge onto children also ensures the next generation are just as prepared.
- Equip with floatation devices: For young or inexperienced swimmers, ensure they wear appropriate floatation devices like life jackets or arm floats. These provide an extra layer of protection and buoyancy while they gain confidence in the water.
- Stay hydrated and sun-safe: Remember to drink plenty of water and apply sun cream regularly to prevent dehydration and sunburns, especially during extended periods of outdoor swimming. Even UK weather can be deceiving and sun burn can still occur on cloudy days.
Splashing and swimming with family and friends will create memories that last a lifetime. For more water safety tips, please visit rlss.org.uk.
From June 16-22, we are proud to support Drowning Prevention Week at Life Leisure. With five pools across Stockport and a dedicated team of trained lifeguards, we’re committed to making water safety a priority in our community. Come and learn how to enjoy the water safely with us with our swimming lesson programme: www.lifeleisure.net/lessons-holiday-courses/
Now all that’s left to do is go and enjoy your summer!
