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Water Safety This Summer

Did you know May is Water Safety Month? Follow these tips to safely swim at the JCC’s Eskenazi Water Park and elsewhere this summer!

Don’t Just Pack It, Wear a Life Jacket!

Life jackets should be a given when heading to natural bodies of water, and even at the pool are a good choice for less comfortable swimmers. Make sure to pick one that is U.S. Coast Guard-approved and that is sized appropriately for the swimmer’s body type and weight (it should fit snugly with all buttons and zippers fastened).

_{A Coast Guard-approved life jacket}

Choose a Visible Swimsuit

Colors like light blue or white can be difficult to see underwater. Pick a color like hot pink or purple instead to help rescuers out if need be.

_{Notice the difference in how bright vs dark or light colors appear}

Other Ways to Stay Water Safe

Have layers of protection when around the water, including adult supervision, barriers around backyard pool/ponds, education about water safety, and knowledge of rescue equipment uses.
Keep your eyes peeled! Adults should maintain constant supervision of children in and around the water including bathtubs, buckets, ponds, spas, and pools.
Never leave children alone near water. If a child is missing, check the water first.
Maintain proximity. Designate an adult to stay close to children swimmers, and stay within reach.
Drowning can be silent, so make sure to know the physical signs! The person’s head may be tilted back, and they may be moving like they are climbing a ladder. They may be unable to call for help and may not be making any forward progress.

Keep Up Swimming Skills

The best way to ensure water safety is to enroll kids in swim lessons to teach them the skills needed to be safe in the water. JCC lessons focus on safety and education! Learn about and sign up for private, semi-private or group youth swim lessons at JCCindy.org/aquatics-programs.

_{Sheena Z. and Chloe M. in the JCC Backer Therapy Pool}

Richard Lord