Think Water Safety, Think S.P.L.A.S.H.

Summer is fast approaching, so SafeSplash Swim School wants to provide you with water safety tips and a special discount on swim lessons or summer SwimJams! 

Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1-4. That is a heartbreaking statistic. SafeSplash's mission is to save lives through swimming lessons to help reduce that statistic.

S – Swim Lessons (learn life-saving skills year-round)
Teach children water safety and swimming skills as early as possible. Formal swimming lessons reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning by 88%. That's huge! SafeSplash offers swim lessons for children as young as 6 months old.

By getting children in the water at this early age, they can learn to love and respect the water from infancy, which will help them understand their limitations and want to learn more sooner. However, no matter the age, SafeSplash has swim lessons for all ages and levels, including adults. It's never too late to learn!

P – Put Away Toys, Put Up Ladder
Drowning is fast and silent. It can happen in as little as 20-60 seconds and doesn't usually look like we would expect, with loud screaming and splashes. 

Children are often enticed to the water by toys or climbing a ladder. They can fall in, and no one notices, so SafeSplash reminds you to put the toys away and limit access to pools and water.

L – Life Jackets
This tip is so important! Many parents think because their child has water wings, a puddle jumper, or a safety vest on, they are "good to go." In fact, that is wrong. 

While floatation devices offer some security, they can also give a false sense of security. This confidence could put children in a harmful, unsafe situation.

Coast Guard-approved life jackets are a must on boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.

A – Adult Always Watching
Always designate a water watcher. This is a designated adult who knows how to swim and is responsible for watching the pool at all times. 

It's easy to assume someone is watching when you're at a pool with family and friends or even in the backyard with a kiddie pool. Often
everyone thinks someone else will take charge.

Before you let anyone in the water, assign adults 15-minute shifts to watch it. That way, someone is always watching the water. It seems simple, but it's often an oversight.

S - Shut all Gates
Make sure all self-closing and self-latching gates are properly functioning. Limiting access to water will save lives.

Also, ensure that all rescue equipment, such as a safety ring buoy, Shepard's crook and pole, lifeguard tube, and even pool sensor alarms, is easily accessible. These tools will help in an emergency.

H – How to Rescue
A great line of defense is knowing how to rescue. In case of an emergency, knowing the basics of making a save in water is paramount. Use the rescue equipment to throw; don't go. Knowing CPR and basic rescue skills could save a life!

Registration is open for weekly swim lessons and more intensive summer SwimJams at SafeSplash Castle Rock and SafeSplash Lone Tree/Parker. 

Make sure water safety is at the forefront of your summer, and reserve your spot today.

Special Offers for Macaroni KID Readers:

• Use promo code NEW10 for 10% off your first month of lessons (new customers only).
• Save $10 off one summer SwimJam session; you must register over the phone to receive the discount.
• Call to register for one free trial class.
• Click here to learn more and choose your special offer!