Friday, May 20, 2011

Child safety tips for National Safe Boating Week


Safe Kids USA is cautioning families to stay safe on the water during National Safe Boating Week, recognized May 21-27.

Safe Kids encourages boaters to take a boating education class and have their boat undergo a vessel safety check before hitting the water. Free annual checks are provided by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Safe Kids also recommends these tips to keep children safe near the water:
• Be sure children on boats or near open bodies of water wear the correct size and type of life jacket as approved by the Coast Guard.
• Actively supervise children in and around open water, appointing a designated watcher to provide undivided attention.
• Enroll your children in swimming lessons once they reach age 4. Teach them how to tread water, float and stay near the shore.
• Make sure children only swim in areas specifically designated for swimming.
• Teach children to be aware of uneven surfaces, currents, undertow and changing weather when swimming in open water.
• Do not allow children to operate watercraft such as Jet Skis. These are intended for adults and require special training.
• Teach children never to dive into oceans, lakes or rivers.


1 comment:

Thank you for taking the time to provide your comment on this topic. We welcome comments on your experiences in safety & health, as well as additional safety ideas and resources. Please remember to keep it clean and be respectful of others. We reserve the right not to include comments that do not pertain to the posting.