Greater Somerset County YMCA wants to ensure that water safety doesn’t get lost in the communities’ eagerness to jump into summer. As temperatures rise, kids want to cool off, whether that is in home pools, ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, or oceans. And that means the risk of drowning is as prevalent as ever.
During National Water Safety Month, Greater Somerset County YMCA encouraged parents and caregivers to reinforce the importance of water safety skills with the whole family.
“Nationally and here at Greater Somerset County YMCA, the Y is recognized as ‘America’s Swim Instructor.’ During Water Safety Month, we’ve taught over 50 participants essential water safety and swimming skills,” shares Darnell Hayes, senior vice president and chief operations officer at Greater Somerset County YMCA. “Now more than ever, it’s crucial to remind parents and caregivers that water safety must be a top priority as families return to their favorite summertime activities.”
The Y is encouraging parents to play an active role in promoting water safety and providing six tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable swimming experience for all.
- Make sure children know to always ask permission before going in or near the water. Teaching your children to be water smart is the first step in water safety – be sure they understand the importance of asking permission before going in or near the water.
- Never swim alone or without a water watcher. When children are swimming, make sure they are actively supervised at all times. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty, or where a responsible adult agrees to watch the children in the water without distractions.
- Supervise your children whenever they’re in or near water. Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or waterfront, make sure your children are within arm’s reach at all times.
- Don’t engage in breath holding activities. Both adults and children should not hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can be dangerous.
- Wear a life jacket. Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water. If an adult or child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural reaction may be to jump in the water to try to save them. Even if they are a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling the rescuer underwater.
The Y’s free Safety Around Water program ran each year in May taught the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them and pull them to safety. By using this technique an adult or child can help their friend without compromising their own safety. The program is open to anyone in the community who wants themselves and their children to learn how to be safe in and around water.
