Water Safety Tips: How do I protect my whole family?
Spring is right around the corner! Time to head to the lake and enjoy some fun in the sun. But what do you do when your children want to go for a swim? This can be tricky, especially if you have young children who are still learning how to swim. And even more so if they're not strong swimmers yet. Water safety tips are an important part of any family vacation or weekend getaway. Here are some ways that you can keep your whole family safe while enjoying your time at the lake:
How do I protect my whole family?
- Be aware of your child's water safety.
- Learn how to swim and teach your kids to swim.
- Always wear a life vest.
- Avoid swimming alone, especially at night or in rough weather conditions.
- Make sure everyone has basic first aid knowledge.
- Add WaveLink to your dock.
Know your child's water ability.
To protect your whole family, it's important to know the water ability of each member. This means that you need to know which children are old enough for swimming lessons and which ones aren't. If you have a baby or toddler who isn't in swimming lessons yet, there are plenty of other ways you can help him or her become comfortable around water without going into the deep end alone.
- For babies under 1 year old: Don't leave your little one unattended near any body of water--even if it looks shallow! Also, keep all toys away from the water’s edge.
- For kids aged 1-5 years old: Be sure that kids this age know how swim before taking them anywhere near water where they might accidentally fall in.
- Never swim alone!
- Regardless of age, please insist that everyone on the dock, on a boat and in the water wear a properly fitted life vest.
Always wear a life vest.
Life vests are a must-have for all people on a dock. They help keep you safe, and they're easy to wear. Why are life vests important? Life vests can save your life in the event of an accident. They also provide flotation if you fall into deep water and make it easier for others to rescue you from the river or lake. Life jackets are designed to fit snugly around your torso so that it's difficult for them to slip off when worn properly--and even if they do come off, there's still enough buoyancy left to help keep one afloat but also aid them in getting toward shore!
First-aid supplies and CPR.
Make sure your dock's safety kit includes some basic first aid supplies like bandages, gauze pads, suntan lotion and aloe for all the bumps, bruises and burns one can encounter while having fun in the sun! First aid supplies are a must, but you can't just have any old ones. Make sure that yours is up-to-date and includes an AED (automated external defibrillator). If one of your kids has a medical condition like asthma or diabetes that requires quick action, having an AED on hand will make all the difference in saving their life.
Also, be sure that someone in your family knows CPR. CPR will be an essential skill should an accident occur in the water. Another must have on every dock is safety equipment such as a life ring or adjustable pole with hook. And, if you are not sure what to do, call 911 immediately and wait for help.
Install a WaveLink system.
The WaveLink system is an affordable way to alert you of dangerous electricity in the water. The patented machine-learning, self-calibrating, and self-testing technology is always on and allows you to get real-time information about the water conditions around your dock. You can feel more relaxed while at the lake knowing that WaveLink App will alert you if there are any changes in your swimming area such as high voltage levels.
Leave your worries behind while at the lake!
With the right equipment, you can have fun and stay safe in the water. Remember to always wear a life jacket and know your child's water ability. Equip your dock with everything you need should any troubling situations arise. And if you're looking for an extra layer of protection, a WaveLink system can alert you when dangerous conditions are present.