Now that summer has begun, here in Texas pools are opening up and beaches are filling with families ready to get in the water. But before you take your family to the beach or pool make sure they can swim. According to the CDC, drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental deaths among children 1 to 14. You can prevent drowning deaths by simply taking swimming lessons for yourself and family. Lessons can be expensive but you cannot put a price on ensuring your family can swim safely this summer. Check with recreation centers in and around your community for low cost or even free swimming lessons.
Keep safety in mind at all times and take all the necessary precautions to control everyone’s safety. Do not rely on pool noodles, tubes and shaped floats as lifesaving devices. Use properly fitted lifejackets and puddle jumpers, as approved by the Coast Guard, to rely on to keep you afloat. Learning to swim reduces the chance of you having to face any water accidents involving you and your family. Drownings can happen with no warning with children being more vulnerable because they love playing in the water. You can keep everyone safe by following simple steps while at the beach or pool.
Tips to Swim Safely
- Never swim alone.
- Do not leave kids alone in the water and have a responsible adult with them at all times.
- Adults monitoring children or others at pools should be able to swim and trained in CPR with a telephone present in the event of an emergency.
- Know the area where you will be swimming such as depth, surface and weather conditions.
- Follow all rules and regulations instructing you to stay within a designated swimming area and water conditions.
- If swimming in pool, never dive into it or run on pool decks as the area can be slippery. Make sure that your pool is fenced and has a gate lock to avoid children from entering unattended.
- When swimming in the ocean, stay away from piers and jetties as you could risk being caught in a current. If caught in a current, do not fight against it but rather swim out of it in the direction following the shoreline. If you are unable to swim out of a rip current, calmly tread water, once out of the current swim towards shore.
Review your home insurance policy if you have a pool in your home to understand the implications it will have on your insurance. You should consider increasing your liability coverage as you are more at risk of being sued. Do not forget that as the homeowner you are 100% liable if anything occurs in or around your pool. If you have any questions regarding your homeowners’ insurance policy stop by any of our locations and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Have a great summer with your family by staying safe while at the beach, lake or pool.