JACKSON, Miss.- It’s summer time so that means you’re probably going to the pool with the kids, taking the boat out on the lake or taking a trip to the beach. Wherever you decide to swim at make sure you make safety your number one priority.
A few tips American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainer, Ryan Sanders says will keep your kids safe while in the water, “Parents need to make sure their kids take some type of formal swimming lessons, always swim with a buddy and never swim alone, make sure they have a proper flotation device if you have a small child that doesn’t know how to swim and make sure they’re always within arms reach of a parent or guardian.”
While it’s easy to get distracted, it’s important to always be nearby your child when in the water.
“We see a lot of parents come into pools with their kids, putting their floaties on them and letting them go on without paying attention. I think parents need to remember lifeguards aren’t babysitters and that it’s the parent’s responsibility to make sure their child is safe and that they know how to swim and if they don’t know how to swim, that they within arms reach of their child at all times.”
For more water safety tips call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcross.org
