Stay Safe on Your Summer Holiday With These Safety Tips

I think we can all agree that the best way to cool off in the summer sun is by taking a dip in the pool, the lake or the ocean. Whether you’re practicing your cannonballs or you’re heading out on a boat with your friends, there’s nothing better than the soothing refreshment that comes from hitting the water.

However, as much as we all enjoy the water on a hot summer’s day, open water can be incredibly dangerous. With both adult and child accidental drowning deaths often peaking in the summer months, keeping yourself and your friends and family safe around water is essential. Speak to a Moncks Corner personal injury lawyer if you or a loved one has suffered a water-related accident that wasn’t their fault.

Wearing a life jacket around water is the most obvious way to keep yourself safe but check out these additional water safety tips below to prevent your summers day from turning into a tragedy.

Be vigilant

Whether you’re at the pool with your children or the lake with your friends, someone should be on the shore observing and keeping everyone safe. Ideally, this person would know CPR and be able to swim. Avoid looking at your phone, reading a book or distracting yourself, keep focused on those in the water. Take it in turns to supervise.

Learn to swim

Can you swim? If you’re a weak swimmer or have limited confidence in the water, then you should avoid entering the water at all without a life jacket. Don’t let your friends or family members pressure you into swimming out into deep water, you could be endangering your life. Stick to the shallows and in the meantime – get some swimming lessons.

Use a buddy system

For those that do enter the water, they should use a buddy system. Pair up and look after each other!

Only swim where there are lifeguards

You should only swim where there are lifeguards present. Make sure everyone in your group knows where the lifeguard is stationed and ask questions if you’re unsure about anything.

Understand the flags

Flags on beaches are there to give us information and where to swim. If you’re unsure what they mean, ask the lifeguard. If you see lots of people leaving the beach at once, ask someone what is happening and if the area is empty and the water vacated – don’t swim!

Know the terrain

You should only ever jump into the water feet first. You never know what the terrain is like under the surface and a head injury could be fatal.

Be wary of rip currents

Get to know your rip currents and learn how to identify them. If you get caught in one, swim parallel to the shore until you can swim towards it.

Don’t drink alcohol

If you’ve consumed alcohol, don’t enter the water. Your cognitive and motor skills will be heavily impaired. You may also take risks and endanger your life. Don’t drink if you’re supervising children.

Learn boating basics

If you’re planning on boating this summer, make sure you understand the basics of boating/water safety before you cast off.

And finally, check the weather

Always check the weather before you head out for the day and never swim in a thunderstorm.

Photo by Jamie Fenn on Unsplash