To beat the summer heat, many families will be heading to the pool to cool off this summer. To ensure your kids have a fun – and safe – time in the water, check out this Q&A with CHOC Children’s Community Education Coordinator, Michelle Lubahn, for some must-read tips.

Q: What is the most important thing you can tell parents about water safety?
A: Make sure you keep an eye on your kids even if there is a lifeguard on duty. Children need constant supervision in and around water. Designate an official “water watcher” to make sure someone is keeping an eye out at all times.

Q: What are some effective pool protection measures?
A: It’s important to have multiple layers of protection. Kids are fast and can get into things in a matter of seconds. You may want to consider investing in fencing, gates, alarms, and covers for pools and spas.

Keep in mind other sources of danger too, such as bathtubs, toilets, buckets, ice chests, even dog dishes! A child can drown in as little as two inches of water; it happens quickly and silently, too. Latch the toilet seat, and never leave your child alone in the bathtub. Be sure to empty buckets and ice chests as soon as you’re finished with them.

Q: What about water safety tips while at the beach?
A: Watch for and adhere by rip current and weather condition signs posted at the beach. Swimming in the ocean should only be allowed when a lifeguard is on duty.  Also, never swim alone – even good swimmers need buddies!

For more tips, check out this video: http://www.choc.org/video/index.cfm?vid=50.

For more information, or to learn about water safety classes, please contact the CHOC Community Education Department at 714-532-8887.