Parent Water Safety Tips - Make A Splash Foundation

👶 Age-by-Age Guidelines

Infants (0-12 months)

Constant supervision: Within arm's reach at all times
Bath time: Never leave alone, even for a second - drowning can occur in just 1-2 inches of water
Swim lessons: Can start as early as 6 months with survival swim training
Survival skills focus: Floating, breath control, self-rescue
Around water: Always hold infant when near any body of water

Toddlers (1-3 years)

Highest risk age group - drowning is the leading cause of death
Constant supervision: Touch supervision (within arm's reach)
Swim lessons: Enroll in age-appropriate survival swim lessons
Barriers: Install 4-sided pool fence with self-latching gate
Teach water respect: Never go near water without permission
Life jackets: Must be worn around open water

Preschoolers (3-5 years)

Supervision: Close supervision - visual contact at all times
Swim lessons: Continue formal lessons, focus on fundamental skills
Water rules: Reinforce rules about asking permission before swimming
Life jackets: Use Coast Guard-approved life jackets for non-swimmers
No floaties: Water wings and inflatable toys are NOT safety devices

School-Age (6-12 years)

Supervision: Active supervision - know where they are and what they're doing
Swimming skills: Ensure proficiency - can they swim 25 yards and tread water for 60 seconds?
Buddy system: Never swim alone
Open water: Teach about currents, undertows, and changing conditions
Diving safety: Feet first, first time - always check water depth

Teens (13+ years)

Never swim alone - even strong swimmers
No alcohol: Alcohol impairs judgment and swimming ability
Lifeguard awareness: Swim only in supervised areas
Emergency skills: Learn CPR and rescue techniques
Role modeling: Set good examples for younger siblings

👁️ Supervision Strategies

The Water Watcher System

Assign a responsible adult as the designated "Water Watcher"

No distractions - put away phones, books, and other activities
Rotate the responsibility every 15 minutes to maintain focus
Use a water watcher tag or card to pass between adults
The Water Watcher's ONLY job is watching the water

🏊 What to Look for in Swim Lessons

Qualified instructors: Red Cross, YMCA, or other nationally recognized certification
Small class sizes: Maximum 4-6 students per instructor
Survival skills focus: Floating, breath control, self-rescue techniques
Age-appropriate curriculum: Tailored to developmental stage
Progress tracking: Clear skill milestones and assessments
Parent communication: Regular updates and practice guidance
Safe environment: Clean pool, proper equipment, emergency plan

✓ Remember

Layers of protection: Supervision + Barriers + Lessons + Emergency Skills
Drowning is silent: There's no splashing or calling for help
It happens fast: Drowning can occur in less than 2 minutes
Learn CPR: You could save your child's life
Check the pool first: If a child is missing, always check water first