May is National Water Safety Month. Since it’s May, this is a good time to focus on how every member of your family can become water competent. This means being smart about water. You also must know how to help others in the water and have strong swimming skills.
Water competency means being able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim, and then get out of the water safely.
What is Water Safety Month?
Water Safety Month actually began as a week in 2003. Since then, it has grown into an annual month-long event supported by thousands of aquatics facilities, organizations, retailers, and professionals all of which provide educational programs, public service announcements, and promotions. They also distributed safety-themed materials with the goal of preventing water-related fatalities, illnesses and injuries.
There is now an International Water Safety Day on May 15th to spread awareness about drowning as a global issue.
Layers of Water Protection
Layers of protection help prevent drowning. This means:
- providing constant attention to children you are supervising in or near water;
- adding fencing around pools and spas; and
- ensuring everyone in the family has swimming and water survival skills.
Useful Links and Resources
Check out these sources of information provided by the American Red Cross:
- Learn how to respond to a water emergency here.
- Get pool safety information here, including pool fencing tips.
- Use the Red Cross Swim App available for free by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.
- Gain First Aid and CPR/AED skills to help others.
More Water Safety Resources
Although more people are using the swimming pool this time of year, it’s important to remember that a focus on safety isn’t just seasonal. Here are some other useful resources:
- The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance offers free brochures and booklets with information on the safe use of your pool, spa, or hot tub.
- The Longfellow’s WHALE Tales Program makes learning about water safety fun for kids. The program offers short, educational videos about why it’s important to swim in pairs and other tips on water safety.
Pool Fencing Installation
So, to keep your loved ones safe throughout the year when around swimming pool and spa water, work with a pool fence professional. We do pool safety fencing installation throughout Murrieta, Temecula, and other areas of Riverside County as well as San Diego County.