06/17/2026
It's not just hurricane season, it's POOL season! If your kids are like mine, they love the water but don't fully understand the risks. The reality is drowning is a leading cause of death for our younger insureds. It's absolutely tragic and can happen so quickly..
Here are practical water-safety tips for kids who canât swim:
Use âtouch supervisionâ: Stay within armâs reach anytime theyâre in or near water
Assign a Water Watcher: One sober, undistracted adult watches the kidsâno phone, reading, cooking, or chatting. Rotate every 15â30 minutes.
Use proper life jackets and floatation devices. Donât rely on toys.
Secure pools: Use a 4-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Keep doors/windows locked and consider alarms.
Teach basic rules: âAsk before going near water,â âNo running,â âNo pushing,â âStay where an adult can touch you,â and âDonât go after toys in water.â
Start swim lessons: Enroll them in age-appropriate swim lessons, but remember lessons do not replace supervision.
Learn CPR: Caregivers should know child/infant CPR and keep a phone nearby for emergencies.
Be extra cautious in open water: Lakes/oceans/rivers have currents, drop-offs, cold water, poor visibility, and uneven bottoms.
Avoid distractions. Most drownings are silent and quick; even a short lapse matters.
After swimming, keep watching. Kids may try to return to the water when adults think swim time is over.
If a child is missing, check the water firstâseconds count.
