Five water safety tips to keep your family safe in Summer
PLUS: What to do if you are caught in a rip at the beach
One of the best parts about living in Australia, is all the fun you and your loved ones can have in the water. From staying cool in a swimming pool, to braving the waves at the beach – there’s no better way to spend your Summer!
That is why learning water safety is so important. To help you, here are five ways to keep you and your family safe in the water, so you can continue to have fun in the sun!
Learn to swim or refresh your skills at a low-cost public pool
In Australia, swimming skills are often taught from a very young age. But it is never too late to learn, with swimming lessons available for all age groups, even seniors. Across Melbourne’s north and west, the YMCA offers swimming lessons for all levels. Choosing to swim at a public pool instead of a beach, means that you and your loved ones can be supervised by qualified lifeguards.
Find your closest pool offering swimming lessons, here: https://victoria.ymca.org.au/programs-services/recreation/swimming-lessons
Always watch children while they are near any type of water
Children of all ages need to be watched by an adult around sources of water, including baths and showers, swimming pools or water play sets, ponds and water fountains.
Children and babies do not the physical strength to pull themselves out of water if they accidentally fall in, so supervision by an adult is important.
Make a plan with other adults (over 18 years old) to watch children around water, if you need to leave the area.
All water containers like portable pools, sinks and buckets, should be emptied after using.
At the beach, only swim between the red and yellow flags. If there are no flags, the water is not safe to swim
When you swim between the red and yellow flags at the beach, it means a life guard is on duty and that the weather is considered safe for swimming.
You can also use the BeachSafe app to find a beach that is patrolled by life guards. Click the link to visit the BeachSafe website and read tips in your language: https://beachsafe.org.au/surf-safety/multilingual
Look out for each other’s health and safety when spending time in water
If you are going to swim, tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
Be aware of health conditions that may impact your or others’ safety in water, including asthma, injuries, blood pressure, sunburn, or heatstroke.
Avoid going in water (especially hot water like baths and spas) when using alcohol or medication, because the water can increase dangerous side effects.
Be prepared for emergencies
Spending time in water can be a really fun way to spend your Summer! But it is important to be prepared for emergencies because they can happen quickly.
Follow all safety instructions and signs and use flotation devices like life preservers, float rings, pool noodles and kick boards within easy reach.
If you are going on a boat, you must wear a life jacket.
Look out for life guards on duty, and call for help right away if something goes wrong.
What to do if you are caught in a rip:
In Australia, a rip is the name for a strong beach current that can pull you out into deeper water.
If you are ever caught in a rip it is important to stay calm. Do not try and swim against the current back to shore as it can make you too tired to swim.
Instead, float or tread water. Raise an arm and call for help. When the current is less strong, you can swim out and away sideways (parallel to the beach) to escape.
Video: How to escape a rip current at the beach
