MAY IS NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MONTH: PLAY IT SAFE – WATER SAFETY TIPS

Did you know that May is Water Safety month? As America’s largest waterpark resort, we thought this provided us with the perfect opportunity to share with parents some tips about the importance of watching your children by the water.

According to our Wilderness Resort Aquatics Director:

• It is important to remember that a child should never be unsupervised in or near water, even the zero-depth areas in our waterparks.
• Swimming is a valuable life skill.  Enroll your children in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors. If you don’t know how to swim, enroll with your children and make this a fun family learning event.
• Teach your children that they always need to swim with an adult and that there are no exceptions to this rule.
• Children who are unsure swimmers should always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal safety vest in the water. Our lifeguard stations have a limited number vests available in multiple sizes if you forget yours from home.
• Never let your child dive into water unless they have been taught proper diving techniques, an adult is present, and the depth of the water is greater than 9 feet.
• When you are swimming, always be aware of where the rescue equipment and nearest telephone are located in the unfortunate event of an emergency.
• Teach your children to never go near a pool drain with or without a cover. Also always remember to pin up long hair when in the water.
• Finally, be aware of undercurrents and changing waves and undertows when at the ocean, lake, or river. Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal safety device around oceans, rivers, lakes or when participating in water sports.
• For more important tips to make sure your swim season is a safe one please visit: http://www.nationalwatersafetymonth.org/water-safety-tips