About Water Safety Month 

Every May, our Aquatics team promotes the importance of National Water Safety Month. Drowning has become the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, ahead of car accidents, birth abnormalities and cancer. And, drowning remains the second leading cause of unintended death for kids 4-14 and the third for adolescents ages 15-17. Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide. Teaching children to swim is a vital skill for drowning prevention, but there are other equally important ways to stay safe in and around the water.

Swimming is one of life's great pleasures and members of the World's Largest Swimming Lesson team want you to enjoy your time in and around water as safely as possible. Swimming offers many health and fitness benefits, cools you off in the summer and provides a great opportunity to socialize with family and friends. Make sure you and yours stay safe in the water by being water aware. 

Water Safety Tips

• Learn to swim
  Swimming Lesson Save Lives.™  The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes both adults and children. Note: The American Academy of Pediatrics now supports swimming classes after the age of 1 if the child is emotionally and developmentally ready.
• Never leave children unattended
  Parents are the first line of defense in keeping kids safe in the water. Never leave children unattended near water, not even for a minute. If your child's in the water, you should be too! Constant, careful supervision and barriers such as pool fencing are necessary even when children have completed swimming classes.
• Wear a life jacket
  If you or a family member is a weak or non-swimmer, wear a life vest. It's nothing to be embarrassed about and many facilities provide them at no charge.
• Read all posted signs
  Follow posted safety rules and warnings. Teach kids that being safe in and around the water is a personal responsibility - yours and theirs.
• Never swim alone or in unsupervised places
  Teach your children to always swim with a buddy. 
• Look for lifeguards
  It is always best to swim in an area supervised by lifeguards, but remember, lifeguards are the last line of defense when all other layers of protection fail.
• Don't drink alcohol
  Avoid alcoholic beverages before or during swimming, boating or engaging in other water-related activities. Never drink alcohol while supervising children around water. Teach teenagers about the danger of drinking alcohol while swimming.
• Spit it out
  Teach kids not to drink the pool water. To prevent choking, never chew gum or eat while swimming, diving or playing in water.
• Avoid water wings
  Do not use air-filled swimming aids (such as "water wings") in place of life jackets or life preservers with children. Using air-filled swimming aids can give parents and children a false sense of security. These air-filled aids are toys and are not designed to be personal-flotation devices.
• Watch out for the dangerous "too's"
  Don't get too tired, too cold, too far from safety, exposed to too much sun or experience too much strenuous activity. Don't take chances by overestimating your swimming skills.
• Note the weather
  Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.
• Use sunscreen
  Apply sunscreen on all exposed skin to ensure maximum skin protection. Hats, visors and shirts are recommended to prevent overexposure.
• Keep toddlers in shallow play areas
  Zero-depth entry pools have water games, sprays and fountains with no appreciable water depth.
• Follow age & Height instructions as well as health restrictions
  Restrictions apply to many rides and attractions at pools and waterparks.  Size and coordination is critical to safety inside open water flumes.  Guests with neck or back problems, heart conditions, prevalence toward motion sickness or pregnancy should not ride high-speed or rapid-descent rides.
• Use plastic swim diapers
  Many pools require them. Note where changing areas are located and use these designated, sanitized changing spots.

Visit our Facebook and Instagram channels for information and tips throughout the month.

History

National Water Safety Month's history of highlighting water awareness and swim safety started in June 2003. In May 2007, the National Recreation and Park Association decided, along with the WWA, that a month-long water safety initiative was important and that’s when National Water Safety Month was officially born.

In May 2009, the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals joined the partnership, adding waterparks, public pools, and backyard pools to the monthly water safety initiative. After that, the American Red Cross joined the National Water Safety Month coalition as a key partner in 2010 and in May 2023, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance joined the National Water Safety Month coalition.