Red Cross shares water safety tips for children and families

(WAND) - The American Red Cross is encouraging families to consider water safety as swimming season approaches.

Research shows participation in formal water safety and swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% for one to four-year-olds, the American Red Cross said.

"Before families head out to pools and parks, it’s important for all family members to learn and review critical water safety skills,” said Celena Sarillo, Chief Executive Officer, Red Cross of Illinois. “Knowing fundamental Red Cross water safety skills will help you feel more prepared for fun outings in, on and around the water and help save lives.”

More than 2.5 million people learn to swim through Red Cross aquatics programs every year. The programs incorporate the latest science-based curriculum and industry best practices to keep families safer while enjoying water activities.

The Red Cross said it has helped to reduce accidental drownings by nearly 90% nationwide.

“Preventing unsupervised access to water, providing constant, active adult supervision and knowing how to swim are critical layers of protection to help prevent drowning,” said Connie Harvey, director of Aquatics Centennial and Survival Programs for the Red Cross.

IMPORTANT WATER SAFETY TIPS

This summer, remember these four water safety tips.

Nobody should ever swim alone – adults and teens as well as children. Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child.
It’s best to always designate a “water watcher” who will keep a close eye and constant attention on children and weaker swimmers in, on and around water until the next water watcher takes over.
Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
Reach or throw, don't go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble and tell them to grab on. Don’t go in! You could be in danger of drowning yourself.

“We encourage families to educate themselves on safer water habits, to learn to swim and know how to handle emergencies,” said Harvey. “Our aquatic training providers offer swim education and classes for both children and adults. We recommend that you also learn first aid and CPR, so you’ll know what to do until help arrives.”

WHALE TALES FOR CHILDREN

The Red Cross recently revamped its Longfellow’s WHALE Tales Water Safety for Children program. The free program is designed to help children from all backgrounds in kindergarten through 5^th grade learn vital water safety behaviors without having to be in or near the water.

Educators, swim instructors, parents, caregivers and others can teach critical water safety lessons to children before the swim season kicks off. WHALE Tales are short, engaging and age-appropriate lessons that cover important water safety topics in different environments such as pools, waterparks, oceans, lakes and rivers. The free downloadable resources include lesson plans, course presentations and engaging materials such as videos and activity sheets and can be accessed at redcross.org/WHALEtales. If you’re a parent or caregiver teaching your own children,visit redcross.org.watersafetyforkids.