The importance of water safety can never be stressed enough, especially when summer is fast approaching. Which is why water safety week plays an important role in the swimming calendar. This year Paul Sadler Swimland kicked off another successful water safety week with a splash. The annual event played host to a range of water safety activities that incorporated fun with learning. Each activity simulated real life scenarios demonstrating the possible dangers of different water environments and how to avoid/ handle dangerous situations. Some of these included: unexpectedly falling into the pool, using floating devices, swimming through simulated seaweed, swimming with clothing on and treading water while calling for help. Although the activities were primarily based in the water, it didn’t deter from the importance of water safety outside the water. Wearing life jackets, educating parents on supervision and learning basic survival skills remain a vital part of the water safety message. Reiterating this message was the use of Laurie Lawrence’s ‘kids alive – do the five’ song which educates parents and students on five important steps towards reducing the risk of drowning. Water Safety week was a great success and provided students and parents with the vital skills and information needed to stay safe this summer.
1) Supervision: No matter how competent a child is in the water, there is never any substitution for supervision. 2) Water Familiarisation: Get your children familiar with water well before the summer swimming season begins. A child with some water ability and familiarisation may not panic when they find themselves out of their depth. The best way to get your child familiar is with formal swim lessons. 3) Never Rely on Swim Aids: Parent often think they can relax if their children are wearing swim aids. Unfortunately swim aids often burst, tip over and are not fitted appropriately. 4) Fence The Pool: It is vital that every pool has a self-closing gate and the gate is locked when the pool is not being used. 5) Makeshift Ladders: Be aware that young children are very inventive, and if they want to get into a pool they may use other implements, such as outdoor furniture, an upturned bucket or a wheelie bin, to reach the mechanism to open the gate. 6) Outdoor Water Holes/Beaches: Before Swimming in unfamiliar water, always check to see if it is patrolled and always swim between the flags. 7) Household Dangers: There are many hidden dangers within the house which parents of toddlers often don't consider. Some examples are; baths that are not emptied out, the laundry trough with soaking clothes, the toilet, the shower base, pet bowls and the kitchen sink. 8) Leaving Children Alone In The Bath: Never leave the bath to answer the phone or any other call. Don't rely on siblings to look after younger children. 9) Never Swim Alone: Always swim with a friend and always tell another adult where you are going. 10) Learn CPR: The most important skill you can learn as a parent is the ability to perform Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. This proficiency has been proven to save lives.