Are you spending time at the beach or by the pool with your children this summer? Swimming is a great skill for children to learn. It’s a great way to stay active in the summer and it’s a lot of fun too!
Before you and your children go swimming, you should know how to stay safe in the water.
Children often do not understand risks around the water, which leads to unsafe activity around pools or lakes. Teaching children to walk to the pool, always ensuring they are carefully supervised, and helping children get comfortable in the deep end slowly can prevent accidents. If your child is still learning how to swim, a life jacket is essential as it is a lifesaving device, unlike other floatation devices that are toys.
The Lifesaving Society has created the On Guard Card program for parents who find themselves and their children in a pool without a lifeguard. The parent with the On Guard Card acts as the designated supervisor of the pool area, allowing them to focus on the children’s safety without getting distracted. Drowning can occur within 20 seconds, so it is important to have a designated and focused supervisor while children play.
When swimming in a less familiar area, like a beach, you should determine potential risks. Unlike a pool, a beach or lake are not controlled environments. The water may be deeper than you expected or there may be a stronger current than you imagined. When swimming or boating in an unfamiliar environment, even experienced swimmers should wear lifejackets to stay safe.
Knowing how to prevent drowning is an important part of water safety. It allows children, parents, teachers, and camp counsellors to stay safe and enjoy their time by the water!
If your children are enrolled in camp with us, they have been swimming. That’s why we have our own lifeguard to keep them safe. In addition, all of our staff are trained in first aid and CPR, so you can rest assured that your children are in the best of hands.