Water Safety

Life jackets can prevent drowning. To stay safe in the water:

• Put a life jacket on your child.
• Make sure the life jacket fits well and is fully fastened.
• Choose a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
• Adults should wear life jackets if they are not strong swimmers.
• People of all ages and abilities should wear a life jacket while boating.
• Do not rely on water wings — also called “floaties” or arm bands — to prevent drowning. They can easily slip off.

Natural water like oceans, lakes and rivers can have germs that will make you sick. To stay well:

• Don’t swallow the water.
• Keep sand away from your mouth.
• Don’t go to the bathroom in the water.
• After swimming in natural water, wash your hands for 20 seconds before eating.
• If you have a health condition that makes it hard for you to fight germs, ask your doctor before swimming in natural water.

Stay out of the water if:

• You have diarrhea.
• The swimming area is closed.
• You have an open cut or wound.
• You see pipes draining into or near the water.
• It looks cloudier than usual, is discolored or smells bad.
• Local resources report that the swimming area could be harmful.

Germs in hot tub water can cause illnesses. To stay safe:

• Don’t swallow the water.
• Shower before you get into the hot tub.
• Stay out of the water if you have diarrhea.
• Don’t drink alcohol before or during hot tub use.
• Don’t let children under 5 years old use the hot tub.
• If you’re pregnant, ask your doctor if you can use a hot tub.
• Keep the number of people in the hot tub below or at maximum capacity.

Do not go into the hot tub if the tiles are sticky or slippery, if it has a strong chemical smell, or if the water is hotter than 104 degrees.

Drowning is a leading cause of death for children. Even nonfatal drowning can cause permanent brain damage or disability. To keep kids safe:

• Learn CPR.
• Take kids to formal swimming lessons.
• Shut and lock doors that give access to water.
• Put toys away as soon as swim time is over. Toys can attract children to the water when adults aren’t watching.
• If you have a pool, build a fence that completely closes it off. It should be at least 4 feet high with self-closing and self-latching gates.
• Put life jackets on children, especially young kids and those who may not be strong swimmers. Do not rely on water wings or floating toys.
• Supervise children who are in the water or have access to it. Avoid distracting activities like reading, using the phone and using alcohol or drugs.