Water Safety: What Every Parent Needs to Know Before Heading to the Beach or Pool This Summer

Summer means sunshine, beach days, pool parties, and endless hours spent in the water. While swimming is one of the best ways for kids and families to stay active and have fun, it also comes with risks that every parent should understand.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children, and many water-related tragedies happen quickly, quietly, and when adults are nearby.

Before you head to the beach, lake, or pool this summer, here are some important water safety tips that could save a life.

1. Choose Brightly Colored Swimsuits

Believe it or not, swimsuit color can make a huge difference in how visible a child is underwater.

Bright neon colors such as:

• Neon orange
• Neon pink
• Neon yellow
• Neon green

are much easier to spot in both pools and open water.

Colors that can become difficult to see underwater include:

• Blue
• Gray
• White
• Light green
• Black

In lakes, rivers, and oceans, visibility can decrease dramatically due to waves, reflections, and murky water. A bright swimsuit can help parents and lifeguards locate a child faster if they unexpectedly go underwater.

2. Drowning Is Often Silent

Many people imagine drowning as a dramatic event involving yelling, splashing, and waving arms.

In reality, drowning is often silent.

A child who is struggling to stay above water may:

• Be unable to call for help
• Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder
• Have their mouth repeatedly dipping below the surface
• Float vertically with little movement
• Look like they’re simply playing

This is why active supervision is so important.

Put down the phone.
Avoid distractions.
Designate a “water watcher” whose only job is watching the swimmers.

3. Understand the Risks of Open Water

Lakes, rivers, and beaches can be more dangerous than pools because conditions change constantly.

Watch for:

• Strong currents
• Drop-offs
• Underwater debris
• Sudden depth changes
• Cold water shock
• Boat traffic

Even strong swimmers can struggle in open water.

When in doubt, wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

4. Never Rely Solely on Floaties

Water wings, inflatable rings, and pool noodles can be fun, but they are not safety devices.

These products can:

• Slip off
• Deflate
• Give children a false sense of confidence
• Create a false sense of security for adults

Life jackets are the safer choice when extra flotation is needed.

5. Learn CPR

In an emergency, every second matters.

Parents, grandparents, babysitters, and caregivers should consider becoming CPR certified.

Immediate CPR can dramatically improve outcomes after a drowning incident and can make the difference between life and death while waiting for emergency responders.

6. What Is Dry Drowning?

You’ve probably heard the term “dry drowning” online.

While medical professionals don’t typically use the terms “dry drowning” or “secondary drowning,” water inhalation injuries can occur after a child has experienced a water-related incident.

After a significant choking, coughing, or near-drowning event, watch for:

• Persistent coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Unusual sleepiness
• Chest pain
• Vomiting
• Changes in behavior

These symptoms are uncommon, but they should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

The good news? A child who has been swimming normally all day and is acting completely fine is not likely to suddenly experience a delayed drowning event days later.

7. Enroll Children in Swim Lessons

Swimming lessons can significantly reduce the risk of drowning.

While lessons do not make a child “drown proof,” they teach important skills such as:

• Floating
• Treading water
• Safe entries and exits
• Basic survival techniques

The earlier children become comfortable and skilled in the water, the safer they tend to be.

8. Establish Water Rules Before You Arrive

Before heading to the beach or pool, review expectations:

✅ No running around the pool

✅ Ask before entering the water

✅ Swim with a buddy

✅ Stay within designated boundaries

✅ Listen to lifeguards and adults

✅ Wear life jackets when required

Children are more likely to follow rules when they know the expectations ahead of time.

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Water creates some of our favorite summer memories. Whether you’re spending the day at the beach, lake, river, or neighborhood pool, a little preparation can go a long way.

Choose bright swimsuits. Stay within arm’s reach of young children. Put phones away. Learn CPR. And remember that supervision is always the most effective safety tool.

The goal isn’t to be fearful of the water—it’s to respect it.

Have fun, stay safe, and make memories that last a lifetime.

Bonus Tip: If you’re headed to a crowded beach this summer, take a quick photo of your child before they start playing. If they become separated from you, you’ll have an up-to-date picture showing exactly what they’re wearing that day.