During the hot summer months, swimming with family and friends can be a relaxing way to cool off. However, there’s always a substantial risk of drowning or sustaining another life-changing injury near large bodies of water.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals aged 1-4 and 15-24 have the highest drowning rates. Keep your family and friends safe near bodies of water by adhering to these safety recommendations:
- Make sure that children are always supervised when they’re near water.
- Enroll young children in swimming lessons to teach them how to float, hold their breath and move through the water.
- Wear an appropriately-sized lifejacket whenever you are on a boat or a ship.
- Never rely on recreational floating devices such as water wings or foam noodles to support yourself in the water.
- Never consume alcohol when you’re near water.
- Check with local officials or lifeguards if you’re concerned about the water conditions at a public pool or beach.
