Water Safety Tips for Children & Families

It’s summer in Nevada. If you and your loved ones plan on cooling off this summer with a trip to the lake, water park, or a dip in the pool, it’s important that you place an emphasis on staying safe.

According to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), incidents around water lead to thousands of emergency room visits each year and thousands of fatal unintentional drownings. Children account for a large percentage of injuries related to drowning and water safety.

Because there are real risks when it comes to enjoying the water, it becomes crucial to follow water safety rules that can help reduce these risks and keep you and yours safe – especially when you have children.

• Swimming Skills – Make sure you and your family have a good command of swimming skills. Experts highly recommend swimming lessons for children. Classes and lessons are widely available during this time of year from various organizations.
• Supervision – Supervision is essential when it comes to swimming – for children and for people of all ages. Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards, use the buddy system, and always make sure younger children are supervised when around and in the water.
• Natural Bodies of Water – If you’re out at the river, lake, or a beach, you should always be cautious of the unpredictability of natural bodies of water. Increase supervision of children in these areas, know your limits, and wear life vests.
• Pool Safety – Whether it is a public or private pool, always make sure that safety rules are being followed. Additionally, pool owners should install and use barriers or fencing to prevent unsupervised children from getting near the water.
• Prepare for Emergencies – Know what to do in the event of water-related emergencies. Keep safety kits and flotation aids nearby if you own a pool, make sure everyone in your family knows how and when to call for emergency help, and consider taking first aid, CPR, or water safety courses.

At Shook & Stone, we would like everyone to remember these important tips when enjoying the water this summer. We also offer our help to victims and families who have suffered preventable harm in water-related accidents, including boat accidents and pool accidents. For more information about your rights after an accident, contact our injury attorneys for a free consultation.