Swimming is a great way for the whole family to get active. Follow these tips to stay safe in and near the water.
Protect yourself and others from germs in the water.
- Try not to get water in your mouth.
- Make sure everyone is clean before swimming. Shower with soap. Wash your hands after using the bathroom or changing diapers.
- Take your kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers often. Change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area.
Swim safely.
- Swim near a lifeguard and never swim alone.
- Don’t drink alcohol if you are swimming or watching children.
- Use floating toys like water wings and noodles for fun – not for safety. Don’t use them in place of life jackets.
- Watch out for rip currents. A rip current is when the water pulls you away from shore. If you get caught in a rip current, swim along the shoreline until you are out of the current, then swim to shore.
- Take swim lessons if you don’t know how to swim. Sign your kids up for lessons as soon as they are old enough.
Watch children carefully.
- Make sure at least one adult is watching when children are near or in the water.
- Don’t read or use the phone while you are watching young children.
- Watch all children in the water, even if they know how to swim.
Check water and weather conditions before going to the beach.
- Don’t swim after heavy rain. Water is more likely to be polluted after a rain storm.
- Check for signs or warnings about bacteria or other pollution in the water.
- Get out of the water right way if you hear thunder or see lightning. Strong winds can also be dangerous.
Protect your skin from the sun.
- Wear plenty of sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15.
- Put on more sunscreen every couple of hours and after swimming.
