Summertime Survival Guide: Swim Safety

When at the pool or beach, injury is not the first thing on our mind. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reminds us that drownings are a leading cause of injury death for young children ages 1 to 14, and three children die every day as a result of drowning. So please stay safe and swim smart this summer!

1. Always swim with a partner. Even good swimmers may become tired or get muscle cramps.
2. When swimming in an ocean, don’t panic if you find yourself in a current. Swim with the current, gradually trying to make your way back to shore.
3. Use a life jacket. Do not use air-filled or foam toys, such as water wings, noodles or inner tubes, as a substitute.
4. Make sure an adult is with you. Adults should watch children in and around the water and avoid distracting activities like reading, talking on the phone or mowing the lawn when on duty.
5. Ask an adult to check the weather forecast before swimming or boating. It isn’t safe to swim when strong winds or thunderstorms with lightning are in the forecast.

Updated July 2020