Critical Water Safety Tips For Your Kids

Many kids will be going off to camp and won't be around a parent while they swim. Other younger kids had their swim lessons cancelled due to the pandemic. So it is ultra important to share this advice with them.

The YMCA of Greater Monmouth County has the safety of your kids in mind with this great advice for when they're around pools, beaches, and all other bodies of water.

While we always prefer focusing on the positive, it is important to know that the leading cause of death for children ages 1 - 14 is drowning. In fact, 3 children die every day in the U.S. as a result of drowning. Drowning kills more children ages 1-4 than anything else except birth defects.

Laurie Goganzer, YMCA President and CEO, says that although the Covid-19 crisis has temporarily halted their swimming programs, keeping children safe in and around water is one of the Y's greatest priorities.

So that's why the Y is now reaching out to remind parents and other caregivers to regularly talk to your children about water safety to reduce the risk of drowning and will be sharing virtual water safety tips and info throughout the summer HERE!

THE YMCA'S WATER SAFETY TIPS:

-- Buddy Up. Never allow children to swim alone. Teach them to use the buddy system even when a public pool, lake, or beach has a lifeguard on duty.

-- Swim with lifeguards on duty. Only allow your children to swim in designated areas where a lifeguard is on duty.

-- Adult supervision. Adults should constantly and actively watch children in and around water even when lifeguards are present. Be sure your children are always within arm's reach of you.

-- Wear a life jacket. Inexperienced and non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket when in and around water.

-- No breath holding. Children shouldn't hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming. This can cause drowning and has several other severe side effects.

-- Learn to swim. Enroll your children in water safety or swim lessons as soon as they become available again. Just like teaching your kids to look both ways before crossing the street, having them participate in formal water safety lessons teaches them an important life skill.

AND HERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL TIPS from the CDC:

-- Learn Lifesaving Skills. Everyone should know the basics of swimming (floating, moving through the water) and CPR.

-- Fence it Off. Install fencing around pools to keep children away when they aren't supposed to be swimming.

To keep up on what's happening at the YMCA, follow on Instagram @ymcaGMC or CLICK HERE!

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