Fredericksburg Parent

20 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • June 2023 WRITTEN BY RHIANNON ELLIS Your Official Guide to As the final days of school approach, you might notice many of your outdoor activities this summer revolve around water. Play dates at the pool, trips to the beach, boating and fishing, and days spent at the water park are all fun ways for the entire family stay active outside during the hottest months. While water play is enjoyable for all ages and provides a way to stay cool in the heat of summer, it also comes with risks. Even if you are comfortable in the water and consider yourself a strong swimmer, take a moment to reacquaint yourself with the following water safety tips—and maybe even learn a few new ones! According to the CDC, drowning is the number one cause of death in children ages 1-4, and the second leading cause of unintentional injury in ages 5-14. Because it takes merely a moment for drowning to occur, an adult should always be present when children are in water, paying extra close attention to the weakest swim- mers. But even adults should not swim alone. Always swim with others nearby, preferably where a lifeguard is on duty. While it might sound like a good time to throw back a few drinks at the beach or while boating with your friends, your risk of injury during water activities goes up exponentially when alcohol is involved. In fact, up to 70% of injuries while boating or swimming involve alcohol for both adolescents and adults. Alcohol impairs thinking and good judgement, leading to higher rates of risk-tak- ing behavior—a dangerous combination during water recreation. Talk to your teens and college students about the risks of swimming while drinking alcohol! Knowledge is key. Follow these smart swimming tips: • Know your own limits and those of your swimmers. • Consider swim lessons for your children and even for yourself. • Take a CPR class. It's better to have the skill and not use it than to need the skill and not have it. • Take a boater safety course. Water Safety This Summer Water Safety W Supervised Swimming Always swim with others nearby ... Swim Smart Sober Swimming

• Cover