Water Safety Tips to Avoid a Tragedy in the Yakima Valley!

As much fun as the pool can be on a hot day it still comes with considerable dangers for families with small children. Every time I read about someone drowning, especially a little kids it just breaks my heart. It can happen so fast and that's why we wanted to share with you these tips from the International Swimming Hall of Fame through the National Water Safety Month Website.

Teach children water safety and swimming skills as early as possible.

Always brief babysitters on water safety, emphasizing the need for constant supervision.

Appoint a “designated watcher” to monitor children during social gatherings at or near pools.

Keep a first aid kit poolside.

Maintain constant visual contact with children in a pool or pool area. If a child is missing, check the pool first; seconds count
in preventing death or disability.

Don’t use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision. Never allow a young child in a pool without an adult.

Don’t leave objects such as toys that might attract a child in the pool and pool area.

Never prop the gate to a pool area open.

Don’t rely on swimming lessons, life preservers, or other equipment to make a child “water safe.”

Never assume someone else is watching a child in a pool area.

Don’t leave chairs or other items of furniture where a child could use them to climb into a fenced pool area.

Don’t think you’ll hear a child who’s in trouble in the water; child drowning is a silent death, with no splashing
to alert anyone that the child is in trouble.

Click here for more water safety tips, and be safe this summer!