Water Safety
The day I fell into my grandmother's pool changed the course of my life.
When I was three years old, my grandmother had a backyard pool. My family had rules. I knew I wasn't supposed to swim alone.
One summer day, my older cousins were outside lighting smoke bombs. I wasn't allowed near them, so I dragged a chair to the edge of the pool to watch. One leg of the chair slipped over the coping, and before I knew it, both the chair and I tumbled to the bottom of the pool.
I wasn't wearing a swimsuit. I couldn't swim.
Thankfully, my aunt saw me and pulled me out.
Looking back, that's where my passion for water safety began. My family cared about safety, but accidents don't always happen because someone is careless. Sometimes they happen because children are curious.
What I learned
Water safety isn't just about rules. It's about layers of protection.
Four Water Safety Tips
- Always designate an adult Water Watcher. Even strong swimmers need supervision.
- Keep a charged phone near the pool in case of an emergency.
- Learn CPR before an emergency happens.
- Learn the signs of drowning. Drowning is often quiet and can happen in seconds.
Remember
Accidents can happen to any family. Preparation saves lives.
I have a podcast on water safety, you can listen here:
Layers of Protection: Barriers
CPR and Its Role in the Drowning Process