Labor Day Safety Tips You Should Use Everyday

With Labor Day weekend approaching, Sunsational Swim School wants to remind everyone of some important water safety tips for this long weekend (and to remember every day of the year):

1. Active supervision is necessary at all times

In too many instances, child drowning occurs when adults are simply not paying close enough attention. During pool times, always designate a water-watcher: a responsible adult who is in charge of monitoring all water activity. This means no distractions - cell phones, books, side conversations, etc.

With that said, active supervision shouldn't just be during water activity times. Drowning can happen hours after everyone has gotten out of the pool or even when there was no pool time at all. In the recent tragic case of the Miller family (Bode and Morgan), Emmy, their 19-month-old daughter, drowned in a neighbor's pool when everyone thought the kids were playing inside. "Understanding that even though you're not at the pool that if you don't have that visual stimulant of water it's almost like out of sight out of mind," said Morgan during an interview with CBS. "[Children] are curious, they are brilliant, they are amazing little people and they can find ways outside. Out doors, out doggy doors, out windows, so really being aware that even though you're not swimming it can still happen."

Time is precious during drowning accidents, so it's so important to maintain active supervision of children if there is even a small chance of them accidentally getting into a body of water.

2. Reach or throw, don't go

For many of us, our first instinct during a drowning situation is to be a hero. However, if your swimming abilities aren't the strongest or the body of water is unpredictable, trying to be the hero could also make you a victim. Instead, the Red Cross advocates for the "Reach or Throw, Don't Go" method of drowning prevention.

If the person in trouble is near enough to reach out to them, use your arms or a nearby object to help pull them to safety. Items like a tree branch, fishing pole or a canoe paddle are just some examples of items that a person could grab onto and be pulled to safety with. If the person is not close enough to you, throw something that can float and could help keep them above water, such as a kickboard, an empty cooler, a life jacket, a ring buoy, etc. The only person who should get into the water to help someone who is drowning is a certified lifeguard, which is another reason to only swim in areas with a lifeguard on-duty.

3. Know the signs of drowning

Drowning does NOT look like the dramatizations presented in TV and movies. Rather, someone who is drowning will not be able to call out for help, flail their arms, etc. Instead, here are some indicators someone is drowning and needs help, according to the Red Cross:

• The person is upright in the water
• The person is unable to move forward or tread water
• The person is pushing his or her arms down on the sides trying to keep the head above water to breathe

4. Continue swim lessons year-round

If you haven't read our most recent blog post with five reasons to continue swim lessons year-round, check it out here! The chance of drowning doesn't end with the end of summer, so learning swim safety shouldn't either!

We urge you to remember these safety tips this weekend and throughout the year to keep yourself and your family water safe!