6 Water Safety Tips to Help Save a Life This Summer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2021

Aleatha Ezra
Director of Park Member Development
World Waterpark Association
aezra@waterparks.org

Cort Jones
Communications Manager
National Recreation and Park Association
cjones@nrpa.org

Don Lauritzen
Communications Officer
American Red Cross
media@redcross.org  

Janay Rickwalder, CAE
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
jrickwalder@phta.org

6 Water Safety Tips to Help Save a Life This Summer

(Overland Park, Ks.) - As families converge on aquatic centers, pools, splash pads, waterparks, and open bodies of water for recreational water activities this Memorial Day weekend, it is vital to ensure safety is a priority for all people. The National Water Safety Month campaign supporters offer six important tips and reminders for parents and caregivers about safer water practices.

Keep these six water safety tips in mind:

1. Provide Constant Adult Supervision - Actively supervise children and non-swimmers around the water, even when lifeguards are present. Don’t just drop kids off. Avoid distracting activities such as checking email or social media.
2. Learn to Swim - No matter your age, learning to swim is one of the best ways to be safer in and around the water.
3. Look for Lifeguards - Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
4. Swim with a Buddy - Do not allow anyone to swim alone. Even at a public pool or a lifeguarded beach, use the buddy system.
5. Wear a Life Jacket - Adults and kids should always wear a properly-fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while boating. Non-swimmers and inexperienced swimmers should also always wear a life jacket when in and around the water. Inflatable toys can be fun but are not a substitute for U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
6. Learn CPR - Learn how to prevent and respond to emergencies by learning CPR.

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About National Water Safety Month

National Water Safety Month is a joint effort of the American Red Cross, the National Recreation and Park Association, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and the World Waterpark Association. This event is celebrated by these organizations, along with thousands of aquatics facilities and professionals, through educational programs, public service announcements, governmental proclamations, dealer and aquatics business promotions and the distribution of water-safety-themed materials, aimed primarily at the public and designed to help prevent drowning and water-related illness and injuries.

Detailed information and free resources in support of National Water Safety Month, for both consumers and businesses, can be found at www.nationalwatersafetymonth.org. Connect with National Water Safety Month on Twitter (@MayIsNWSM) and Facebook (@watersafetymonth).