Keeping Everyone Safe While Swimming

By Donna Stark

Rising temperatures call our names to come outside and play. And you know what that means, right? It means your children will be asking if it's OK for them to go swimming. But before you slather on the sunscreen and hand them their towels, make sure they have a clear understanding of the following water safety rules. It could be the one thing that keeps a tragedy from occurring.

Safety in Numbers

A good rule of thumb is to only ever go swimming when someone is with you. Having a friend by your side will always bring an extra level of safety and security. If something were to go wrong and emergency help is needed, that extra person will be on hand to go get it. And speaking of having others around, it's always smart to only swim where lifeguards are present.

Feet First

Entering the water feet first is safer than diving in head first for several reasons. If you are swimming in a pool, the depth could be much shallower than expected, and if you are swimming in natural bodies of water, there could be debris or rocks in the way. Until you know how deep and clear the area you are swimming in is, always let your feet guide the way.

Walk, Don't Run

Do you remember the lifeguards constantly yelling at you to walk by the pool when you were young? Well, that rule still applies today! Running next to the pool's edge can be dangerous because it is very easy to slip and sustain an injury. It can also be particularly frightening to fall into a pool when you least expect it.

Know Your Limitations

This tip is one of the most important tips to understand. If you don't know how to swim, or at least tread water, you should never be in an area where you can not stand. If you do know how to swim but aren't the best at doing so, you also need to take precautions. And if you are swimming in a lake or the ocean, keep a safe distance to the shore. You don't want to put yourself into a compromising position and run out of energy to make it back safely.

Prioritize Summer Safety

Water and summer will always go hand-in-hand, so make sure everyone in your family stays safe and knows their limits by practicing the simple rules above. They are easy to follow and will help ensure a safe summer for all.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Tucker, Ga.