Belton, TX
There’s nothing more important to the team at British Swim School Austin than water safety for kids. It’s something equally important to parents of young children. If you’re an Austin-area parent who’s just getting started with water safety for kids, here are 7 key tips from British Swim School Austin…
1. Know Water Safety Hazards in Central Texas
Whether you live in Austin, Buda, Kyle, San Marcos, New Braunfels, Dripping Springs or our surroundings, we are lucky to have access to many lakes and rivers. While they provide great enjoyment, these are also water safety hazards for kids, as are residential hazards like pools and hot tubs. Infants and toddlers can drown in just a few inches of water, so unattended kiddie pools, shallow ponds, creeks, and bathtubs are also dangerous.
2. Prevent & Restrict Access to Hazards
Teach children to always ask permission before playing in or near water, and restrict access to water hazards. Ensure there’s always a childproof barrier in place for your pool/hot tub, always make sure the gate to this area is latched, and drain kiddie pools and bathtubs whenever they aren’t in use.
3. Equip Your Pool for Water Safety for Kids
If you have a pool or hot tub at home, you should have a first aid kit within the pool or hot tub area. Pools should also have rescue equipment, such as flotation devices. A phone with 911 on speed dial should always be close by when swimming.
4. Learn Water Safety Emergency Response
Central Texas parents concerned about water safety for kids should consider taking a CPR course. They might also want to take adult swimming lesson. Both of these skills can help you respond in the event of an emergency.
5. Always Watch Kids When In or Near Water
Never take your eye off young children when they are in or near water — thirty seconds of inattention can be enough for disaster to happen. Avoid distractions, like reading or using your phone, and don’t step away, even if it’s “just for a second.”
6. Practice Water Safety for Kids in the Water
When you’re swimming with kids, set firm rules. These should include no running, roughhousing, or breath-holding contests. Set cautious limitations based on age and swimming ability. Have any swimmer without strong swimming skills wear a life jacket approved by the US Coast Guard.
7. Water Safety for Kids: Swim Lessons in Austin and Swim Lessons in San Marcos
Children between the ages of 1 and 5 who have completed youth swimming lessons are at an 87% lower risk of drowning. In the Austin area, there’s nowhere more fun to learn water safety for kids than British Swim School Austin, where our lessons are open to swimmers as young as 3 months old. Swim lessons are held at three locations, convenient for families in Austin, San Marcos, Kyle, New Braunfels, and Buda.
Enroll your child with British Swim School Austin today to get your little swimmer started with water safety for kids. Call 512-763-7946 or find a class online to get started.
