May is designated as National Water Safety Month to highlight the importance of water safety and drowning prevention, especially for children. This observance is a collaborative effort by the American Red Cross, the National Recreation and Park Association, the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, and the World Waterpark Association. The choice of May is particularly strategic as it coincides with the beginning of the warm season when families and children start frequenting pools, beaches, and other water-related recreational sites. Here are several key reasons why May is recognized as Water Safety Month for children…
National Water Safety Month for Children: 7 Key Reasons
1. Seasonal Timing
May marks the start of summer in many parts of the world, a time when water activities become prevalent. Pools open for the season, families head to lakes and beaches, and water parks begin full operations. With the increased exposure to water, the risk of drowning and water-related injuries escalates. By focusing on water safety in May, organizations aim to educate families and children before the height of the swimming season.
2. Increased Drowning Risks
Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children, particularly those aged 1 to 4 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more children aged 1–4 die from drowning than from any other cause of death except birth defects. For children aged 5–14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle crashes. Highlighting water safety at the start of the swimming season is critical in reducing these tragic statistics.
3. Education and Awareness Campaigns
National Water Safety Month leverages May to launch extensive educational campaigns aimed at promoting water safety awareness. These campaigns cover various safety aspects, including the importance of constant adult supervision, learning to swim, using life jackets, and understanding the dangers of swimming in open waters versus controlled environments like pools. By educating parents, caregivers, and children early in the season, these initiatives aim to prevent accidents and save lives.
4. Swim Lesson Promotion
May is also a prime time to encourage swim lessons for children. Many community centers, swimming schools, and local organizations begin their swim lesson programs in May, aligning with the increased focus on water safety. Learning to swim is one of the most effective ways to prevent drowning, as it equips children with the skills to handle themselves in water. National Water Safety Month promotes swim lessons as a critical step towards ensuring that children are safe around water.
5. Lifeguard Training and Certification
Lifeguards play a vital role in ensuring water safety at public pools, beaches, and water parks. May serves as a period for training and certifying new lifeguards, ensuring that these critical safety personnel are well-prepared for the busy summer months. Training programs emphasize rescue techniques, CPR, and first aid, which are essential skills for preventing and responding to drowning incidents.
6. Advocacy for Safe Swimming Environments
Organizations involved in National Water Safety Month also advocate for safer swimming environments. This includes promoting the installation of proper fencing around pools, using pool covers, and ensuring that pools have adequate safety equipment such as life rings and reaching poles. By emphasizing these safety measures in May, the aim is to prepare facilities for the summer season, reducing the risk of accidents.
7. Community Engagement and Events
Numerous community events and activities are organized to promote water safety during all of May. These events often include free swim days, safety workshops, and demonstrations of rescue techniques. Engaging communities in these activities helps to reinforce the importance of water safety. These communities provide practical knowledge that can be applied throughout the summer.
Thus, May’s designation as National Water Safety Month is a proactive approach to reducing water-related injuries and fatalities among children. By focusing on these 7 key things, the initiative aims to prepare families for a safe and enjoyable summer. The strategic timing ensures that as children begin to engage in water activities, they and their caregivers are well-informed about the potential risks and equipped with the knowledge to prevent accidents. Through these efforts, National Water Safety Month plays a crucial role in protecting children and promoting safe practices around water.
Our Swim School Contributes to National Water Safety Month Here in Houston
Life Saver Survival Swim School, LLC tries hard to keep our students up-to-date on the latest life-saving training. Like nearly all things, life saving skills are constantly changing and improving. Learning and teaching these things is something that we always do.
If your family has infants and/or young children that still need to learn to swim, register them for one of our upcoming classes. Or, perhaps you still have some unanswered questions… if so, give our owner Bonnie a call at (832) 366-3008. You can also email her if you prefer to do that., ,