Summer Water Safety

14 Dec Summer Water Safety

Coming into summer the days are getting hotter which means it’s time for the pool and/or beach! Spending time in the water in crucial for children to develop water skills that will help keep them safe. Water play also assists children in developing muscle stretch, balance and coordination. It’s a great way to get kids moving whilst making sure they still have fun!

Below are some key tips to ensure your children are as safe as possible when in the water this summer

1. Always watch your children even at patrolled beaches and pools – There can be so many people in the water at one time it’s hard for lifeguards to watch everyone. Keep a close eye on your children and ensure you’re close enough to help them out if needed.
2. Always attended patrolled beaches and swim between the flags – Lifeguards have excellent knowledge about the safest place to swim at the beach and the flags will move around the beach day to day depending on conditions. Even though somewhere was safe to swim last week does not mean it is safe today so always go to the flags
3. Swimming lessons – Children have missed out on a lot during Melbourne’s multiple lockdowns and this includes swimming lessons. Swimming lessons are important not just for skill development but for safety. It won’t hurt to get them in a few lessons over the next month or two to ensure their water skills are up to scratch before going and having fun in the water.
4. Use flotation devices – If your child is still getting the basics down pat a life jacket or floaties will help to keep your child afloat. However, you should always continue to keep an eye on your children.
5. Stay close to shore – At the beach the water can be very unpredictable. Flash rips can pop up in a second and pull you out to the back, big waves can dump on you without you noticing. A good rule of thumb is to ensure you can always touch your feet to the ground, and if you cannot or are struggling to keep them on the ground come closer to shore. For children this can mean staying quite close.
6. Teach your children to put their hand up at the beach or a patrolled pool when in trouble to get lifeguards attention.
7. Know how to respond in case of an emergency – whilst we hope you never have to use CPR skills, knowing how to perform them can’t hurt. It may just save life one day.

Here at Western Paediatric Physiotherapy, we hope that with all these important tips in mind, you and your children can have a fun summer spending time enjoying all the beaches and pools Victoria has to offer.