As Summer comes to an end and some of you hang up your bathing suits for the season, it is important to be mindful of every day Water Safety to keep your family safe. From backyard pools to bathtubs, review these tips to make sure you keep your head above water this winter. 

Toddlers & You: When you have a new walker around the house, many household items call for removal or “baby-proofing”. I’m here to tell whomever is reading this that keeping your house toddler safe isn’t just rounding edges & closing off staircases. Here are some important tips for when your little one is on the move!

1. Know what to do in an emergency. Learning CPR and basic rescue techniques may help you save a life. Pro Tip- The American Red Cross holds multiple CPR & First Aid classes a year to help communities prepare themselves for an emergency. Ask about Pinnacle’s next CPR/First Aid or Lifeguarding class.

2. When doing household chores like mopping & washing your car, never leave your bucket of water unattended; infant drowning can occur is less than one inch of water. Samely, keep all toilet seats closed in the home and the doors to the laundry room and restroom shut. Store all buckets, containers, and even kiddie pools upside down so they do not collect water.  Pro Tip- Find yourself a swiffer & check one worry off that list. 

Children & Teens: As your children grow up, you can help reduce their risk of drowning greatly by taking the following precautions and providing them with the proper knowledge and skill set to excel in any aquatic environment. 

1. Install fences around all sides of your home pool. Fences should be at least four feet tall with a self-closing and self-latching gate. Pro Tip- Place the handle to your pool gate as high as possible to avoid children opening. Cover pool in the off-season.

2. Keep a close eye on children & young adults in or around water. When watching your pool, free yourself of all distractions and keep small children within arm’s reach of an adult at all times. Pro Tip-Practice the buddy system & never swim alone. 

3. Our greatest defense against drowning is teaching every child to swim. Practice! Practice! Practice! Keep swimming, and make sure you and your child can perform these five water survival skills: 1- Jump into water over your head & return to the surface. 2- Float or tread water for one minute. 3- Change directions 2 times to complete a full circle & find an exit. 4- Swim 25 yards without stopping or standing. 5- Exit the water. If in a pool, without using a ladder. Pro Tip- Every child is different; find which style of teaching best fits their personality.