This post is sponsored by Emler Swim School for Water Safety Month, all opinions are my own. Psst, there may be affiliate links in here.
May is Water Safety Month, fitting as Summer is approaching and the pools and splash pads are getting ready to open for fun. With that fun comes big responsibility because there are many dangers when enjoying water activities with little ones. There are some truly sad statistics out there about children and water related accidents.
“DROWNING KILLS MORE CHILDREN THAN ANYTHING ELSE BUT BIRTH DEFECTS.”
National Drowning Prevention Association Conference, 2015.
Since we spend a great deal of time around water year round. The Mister and I felt that it was crucial that JDub learn skills that would help him be safer while in water. We started classes at Emler Swim School when JDub was just 3 months old and we still love it. He is learning so many valuable skills.
“Participation in formal swimming lessons is associated with an 88% decrease the risk of drowning among young children.” Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 2009
I wanted to share a few Water Safety Tips with you. Download this free printable to as an easy reference tool.
If you will be boating or on a large body of water this Summer remember that life jackets are suggested for all participants but required for children under 13 years old per the U.S Coast Guard. Check your state laws as some will have various age restrictions. When choosing a life preserver make sure that it fits properly.
#1 Check the manufacturer’s label to ensure that the life jacket is a proper fit for your size and weight.
#2 Make sure the jacket is properly fastened.
#3 Hold your arms straight up over your head.
#4 Ask a friend to grasp the tops of the arm openings and gently pull up.
#5 Make sure there is no excess room above the openings and that the jacket does not ride up over your chin or face.
We purchased this life jacket for JDub and it is perfect for little ones up to 30 lbs. Note that there is no flotation in the back of the vest to prevent him from being able to turn face down. He loves to practice floating on his back and resting his head on the head flotation.
Interested in classes for your little ones? Mention you read about Emler Swim School from Life Anchored blog and receive one pair of swim pants for free when you sign up for any of their classes. All classes eligible including the FREE Bathtime Babies class! #iswimemler
More about our adventures in swim class and our love for Emler Swim School.
Water safety is very important. When Rosie was four, we took her for swimming lessons. She slipped and cracked open her chin. We couldn’t get her near the pool for a while. Be sure to remind your little guy not to run at the pool when he’s older.
He looks so cute in the life jacket!
What a cutie! Mine have been going to swim lessons since they were 2 and I was so excited that the same woman that taught me to swim as a child was teaching them!
That is awesome! We love our swim teacher, he is amazing.
So many people don’t realize the dangers! Great tips!
I remember Emler when we lived in Austin!
Water is such a fun place to spend time off but also a very real, very scary place.
Such great tips! Thanks for sharing.
These are all such great and important tips! We get a membership to our local pool each summer. And this summer the beach house we are renting for vacation has it’s own pool. Thanks for the reminders! Now I need to go out and get little miss a flotation vest soon. 🙂
So cute! It’s important to know how to properly use an item because then it becomes useless. Thanks for the informative post!
That pool noodle boat looks like fun! Great post. It’s true, every minute counts.
Great tips- this is a huge concern of mine-Thanks for sharing #bloggersbrag
Hello Gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm, so we can party with you! Lou Lou Girls
These are great tips! I definitely want to get my 9 month old in swim lessons. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty 🙂
Check to see if you have a Emler Swim School near you. I really can not say enough amazing things about their teaching.