It's the most wonderful time of the year -- SUMMERTIME! With summer, of course, comes lots of outdoor and water fun playtime. Summer is my favorite season of the year, and I think if you asked my kids, they'd say the same. But along with sitting poolside, comes important water safety practices that our family is sure to be aware of when it comes to having kids around.
My 4 boys love the pool and I'm excited this summer to introduce my 1 year-old daughter to some summertime water fun. Growing up in Texas, being poolside during the summer months was just a given. I have fond memories of hanging out at the city or neighborhood pools with my friends, and getting some much needed exercise and sun. I also remember my parents always talking to me about staying safe around water and I was in swim lessons for much of my youth. Being comfortable in and around water is something that my parents stressed, and I stress it now, too, with my own kids.
Now that I'm a mom, there are SO many resources that help with guiding me on how to teach and practice water safety with kids. I'm grateful that resources like The Zac Foundation want all children especially those ages 5-9 to learn the importance of water safety.
The mission of The ZAC Foundation is to give parents and their children all the tools they need to be safe around water. They offer education and advocacy programs aimed at providing a wealth of water safety tips, resources and programming (like their ZAC Camps). The Zac Foundation has developed a strong outline for the ABC&Ds of Water Safety. They are simple and easy reminders to always keep top of mind when having kids around the water at pools, lakes, or just about anywhere!
ABC&Ds of Water Safety
- ADULT: Never let children be alone near or in a pool, ocean, lake, or river. Children should be taught to never swim without an adult present.
- BARRIER: Have a four-sided fence that goes around your pool with a self-locking gate.
- CLASSES: Kids and adults should take safety classes like swim lessons and CPR.
- DRAINS: ALL swimmers should stay away from all pool and spa drains to avoid becoming trapped by the suction.
The ZAC Foundation also has produced a great video sharing one more thing that we should all be aware of when it comes to water safety and kids. Check it out on YouTube or watch it below.
I am even more vigilant now with my kids around pools and when it comes to water safety because last summer, when my Andrew was just 2, we were visiting a friend's house who had just moved to a place with a pool in the backyard. There were several of us moms out in the pool area, but still my son decided to jump into the water at the deep end and didn't have his floaties or anything on. I immediately, on instinct, jumped in after him and pushed him up to the surface of the water where he was fine, and not even really coughing a lot. I was SO shaken up, to say the least. My friends were all there and all saw it happen, but it happened SO fast that we were all stunned! He was thankfully okay. That whole experience taught me just how fast something can go wrong and how if you even blink, it's enough time for an accident.
I hope you never have to experience something like that when it comes to your kids and being around pools. I am such a strong believer in practicing water safety, and knowing CPR, especially if you have or are around kids. I believe very strongly in the mission of The ZAC Foundation and am proud to support them in their efforts to educate everyone on water safety. I'm also excited to be hosting a fun giveaway for one of their Summer Fun Kits (valued at $50!). Entry period is now until June 13 at 9 p.m. PST. Winners will be randomly selected and notified by Clever Girls and/or The ZAC Foundation by June 20. Look below on how to enter this exciting summertime giveaway!
What is one way your family practices water safety for kids?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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