Summertime heat and water are an ideal pairing, regardless of where you live. Whether your activity of choice is poolside swimming, lakeside lounging, or ocean adventures, safety should always be a priority.
There are plenty of lakes, rivers, beaches, and pools in Louisiana, but unfortunately, accidental drownings are among the leading causes of death in toddlers. In fact, Louisiana experiences twice the number of drownings a year than the rest of the country.
If you want to keep your family safe this summer, it’s crucial to remember these five essential safety tips before you step foot into the water. Read on to learn more!
It’s no secret that swimming is a low impact, fun way to exercise and play for almost all ages. In the summer, when the heat in Louisiana can be unbearable, taking a dip is like heaven on earth.
To keep your family safe this summer, remember these five tips to play all summer long safely!
Whether there is a lifeguard on duty or not, you should never swim alone possible. As a parent or guardian, it’s your duty to advise your children to always swim with a familiar person so they can look out for each other. Doing so will allow someone to call for help should they require assistance before it’s too late.
For children, their first instinct if they see someone in trouble is usually to jump in to help. However, for weaker swimmers, this could be extremely dangerous. Instead, teach them to use a long object to pull them in, or throw in a flotation device as closely as possible while they try to get help.
Most pools have signs that warn people not to dive into the water in areas with varying water depths. Diving where it isn’t permitted can result in severe injuries to the face, neck, hands, and more. Save dives for the areas in the pool where it’s allowed to reduce the risk of injury.
The same goes for lakes, rivers, and oceans where it’s unclear how deep the water truly is or what may lie beneath the surface.
If an area is marked for swimming, instruct your party to only swim within that area. It’s essential that all swimmers only swim where they are comfortable and follow local guidelines and safety recommendations. If you have a child or an adult in your family who isn’t comfortable swimming, it’s recommended that they take swimming lessons.
In the unfortunate event that someone under your care is injured or requires CPR, it can save lives if you know how to react. If there is no lifeguard on duty, learning CPR can be the difference between life and death. Learning basic first aid care, and having a first aid kit on hand can help you make someone comfortable while you transport them to urgent care.
Before you head out for your next aquatic adventure, learn all you can about a new location, pack the appropriate items, and talk to younger family members about water safety. If it has been a while since your last water activity, be sure to remind all family members to play and swim responsibly.
These water safety tips can help you avoid drownings and other water-based injuries, but in the event of an emergency, always seek professional help. Contact us for more information about health, safety, and other urgent care needs in Baton Rouge.