Summer Survival Series: Water Safety 101 – What Every Parent Needs To Know Before Pool & Beach Season
Drowning happens fast and silently. Learn the top five water safety tips every parent should know before heading to the pool, beach, or lake this summer.
Welcome Back To The Summer Survival Series!
This is the fourth post in a ten-part series to help parents prepare for a safer, more peaceful summer at home and on the go. If you’ve been following along, we’ve covered parent-approved summer learning ideas in our last blog post. Now, we’re heading into one of the most critical topics: water safety.
Why This Matters
Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children under 14. It happens quietly and quickly. Many parents don’t realize that most drownings occur when an adult is nearby, just not fully tuned in.
This guide is not about fear. It’s about feeling empowered to prevent accidents before they happen.
1. Designate A Water Watcher
This is one of the most important things you can do. At any water gathering, assign one adult to be the official Water Watcher. No phones. No socializing. No multitasking.
Use a lanyard or bracelet to signal who’s watching. Change shifts every 15 to 30 minutes to keep focus sharp.
Watching kids in water isn’t passive. It’s an active, eyes-on role. The difference between casual supervision and intentional attention could save a life.
2. Know What Drowning Looks Like
It’s not what you’ve seen in movies. There’s no screaming or flailing. Most drowning is silent and subtle.
Look for:
A tilted head, mouth open
Upright posture with little or no kicking
Silence or glassy eyes
Gasping or trying to climb an “invisible ladder”
If you’re ever unsure, ask, “Are you OK?” If there’s no answer, act immediately. Seconds matter.
3. Teach Water Safety Rules Early
Start talking about water safety before the first swim of the season. Keep the language age-appropriate, and repeat the rules often.
Here are three simple ones to start with:
Always ask before getting in the water
No pushing or rough play near the edge
If you can’t swim to the wall, don’t jump in
Role-play scenarios so your child knows what to do before the situation arises. Repetition and modeling are key.
4. Choose The Right Safety Gear
Not all flotation devices are safe. In fact, some popular ones can encourage dangerous habits.
Choose gear that’s:
U.S. Coast Guard–approved
Designed to keep a child in a horizontal swimming position
Properly fitted for your child’s weight and age
Avoid arm floaties and puddle jumpers. They promote vertical posture in the water, which mimics a drowning position.
Also consider items like goggles or swim caps to increase comfort and confidence.
5. Every Parent Should Know CPR
This is one of those skills you hope you never need—but if you do, it could mean everything.
Take a child-specific CPR course in person or online. Post a printed CPR step chart in your beach bag, on your fridge, or near your home pool.
If possible, practice on a doll or CPR dummy to build muscle memory.
Recommended Resources:
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to be a lifeguard to keep your child safe around water. Just knowing the signs, setting clear rules, and staying present makes a huge difference.
This summer, make safety part of the rhythm—so your child can enjoy the water with freedom and confidence, and you can enjoy it with peace of mind.
You’ve got this.
Coming Next Week
Meal Prep for Busy Summer Days: 10 Easy, Kid-Approved Snack and Lunch Ideas
Simple meals that keep energy high, tantrums low, and your kitchen under control.