Summer is almost here, which means it’s time for sunshine, pool days, lake trips, and family fun in the water! While making lasting family memories is what the season is all about, it’s also the perfect time to make sure your family makes water safety a priority. 

Whether you’re heading to the neighborhood pool, planning a beach vacation, or spending weekends by the lake, a little preparation can go a long way. Here are four easy steps to help your family get ready for a safer summer.

Summer Water Safety Tip #1: Choose Coast Guard-Approved Life Jackets

Life jackets are one of the most important tools for summer water safety, especially for young children and less confident swimmers. When selecting a life jacket, always choose one that is Coast Guard-approved and properly sized for your child’s age and weight. 

A properly fitting life jacket should feel snug without being uncomfortable. It should not ride up over your child’s chin or ears when lifted at the shoulders.

Remember that water wings, inflatable floaties, and pool toys are not safety devices and should never replace a properly fitted life jacket when needed.

Life jackets are especially important for open water environments like lakes, oceans, and boating trips, where conditions can change quickly.

Summer Water Safety Tip #2: Dress Kids in Brightly Colored Swimsuits

Believe it or not, swimsuit color can make a big difference in visibility! Bright neon colors like orange, pink, yellow, and lime green are often much easier to spot in the water and from a distance than blues, grays, or darker colors. This is especially helpful in busy pools, murky lakes, or natural bodies of water where visibility may be limited. 

Choosing bright swimsuits can help parents and caregivers keep eyes on little swimmers more easily during crowded summer gatherings and pool parties.

It’s a simple step that adds an extra layer of awareness!

Summer Water Safety Tip #3: Designate a Water Watcher

One of the most important summer water safety habits is assigning a Water Watcher. This is a responsible adult whose only job is to actively supervise children in and around the water. This means no phone scrolling, no reading, no chatting with other adults, just supervising! 

At family gatherings or parties, it’s easy to assume someone is watching, but that isn’t always the case! In fact, 88% of drownings occur with at least one adult present. With distractions all around, designating one person removes confusion and helps ensure kids are monitored at all times. 

A Water Watcher should:

  • Stay within arm’s reach of young or inexperienced swimmers
  • Keep constant visual contact
  • Avoid distractions
  • Rotate responsibility with another adult every 15-30 minutes if needed

Clear communication is key! Make sure everyone knows who the Water Watcher is before kids dive in.

Summer Water Safety Tip #4: Learn to Swim Before Summer Fun Begins

Before the first pool party invitation or lake day adventure, one of the best things you can do is help your child build water confidence through swim lessons.

Learning to swim gives children skills that can help keep them safer for life. Beyond learning strokes, swim lessons help kids develop comfort in the water, confidence, and water safety skills like floating, breath control, and safely getting in and out of the pool.

The earlier children begin building these skills, the better prepared they are for summer activities!

At Goldfish Swim School, our lessons are designed to help children gain confidence in a safe, tropical environment with warm, shiver-free water and instructors who make learning feel exciting.

Summer fun starts with confidence and confidence starts in the pool!

Make This Your Safest Summer Yet

A safer summer doesn’t have to be complicated! With the right life jacket, bright swimwear, a designated Water Watcher, and swim lessons underway, your family can focus on what matters most: making memories together!