Jakob Owens
May is National Water Safety Month! This educational program is a joint effort between the World Waterpark Association, the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, the American Red Cross, and the National Recreation & Park Association in order to educate the public on the best drowning prevention tactics.
Some safety tips per the American Red Cross:
Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
Always swim with a buddy
Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone (This includes puddle jumpers, believe it or not. My son loves those. -Ed.)
Establish water safety rules for your family and enforce them without fail.
If you go boating, wear a life jacket! Most boating fatalities occur from drowning.
Avoid alcohol use. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and coordination; affects swimming and diving skills; and reduces the body’s ability to stay warm.
National Water Safety Month also encourages people to plan water safety fairs, participate in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, or facilitate water safety professionals visiting classrooms. There are free and low-cost resources available on the website for professionals, and educational safety tips for consumers as well.
We started Life Floor because we knew we could make aquatic areas safer for everyone. We focus on the area around the water, by reducing the chances of slip and falls, broken bones and concussions, but we care about what happens in the water, too. Accidental drowning is a worldwide problem, but one that can be mitigated by the hard work, education, and innovation of consumers and professionals alike. It’s initiatives like National Water Safety Month that provide communities with an opportunity to come together and pledge to create safe facilities, smart programs, and an informed public.
How are you going to celebrate National Water Safety Month?