May is water safety month! The Anoka Aquatic Center promotes water safety everyday the pool is open, but we also want to make sure people are safe around all bodies of water.
"Did you know that drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children? We’re shining a spotlight on this day so you know the basics for keeping yourself, your family and friends safe in and around the water every day. It all begins with learning to swim! Swim lessons teach safety and swimming skills you need to enjoy the water safely. But it’s not just about knowing how to swim. You need to be smart, too.
Here are some ways to do that:
- Swim as a pair near a lifeguard’s chair. Buddy up. Never swim alone. Only swim in places that are protected by lifeguards—or, if at a home pool, only swim when an adult is actively supervising the water.
- Look before you leap. Check the water and weather conditions to be sure that it’s a safe place and time to swim. And always enter feet first unless the area is intended for diving.
- Follow the rules. They exist to keep you safe. Always listen to the lifeguards.
- Life jackets save lives, so don’t just pack it, wear your jacket. Everyone should wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when on a boat, and anyone who needs a bit more support should wear one when going into the water.
- Think, so you don’t sink. Know what to do if you get in trouble in the water. The more skills you have, the better you’ll be able to deal with scary situations.
- And if someone around you gets in trouble, reach or throw, don’t go! Use reaching or throwing equipment to help a struggling person get to safety. Only trained lifeguards should enter the water to help someone in trouble, and even then, the lifeguard is going in with rescue equipment.
Knowing how to swim, making smart choices around the water and knowing what to do if something goes wrong can make a difference between life and death. " - The American Red Cross
Being water smart isn’t just important for humans, but for our four legged friends, as well. PetSmart and pets.webmd remind us to do the following:
- Properly introduce your dogs to water.
- Invest in a doggie lifejacket and learn dog CPR.
- Keep your pets near you in the water and know where they are.
- Have your pooch rest after playing in the water and hydrate them with fresh water!
- Rinse your dogs off after swimming to get rid of any irritants that could dry their skin.
For more information on everything water safety, visit the water safety page of the Aquatic Center section of the website.
