Summer is finally here, which means that residents throughout California will be heading to the beach soon if they haven’t already. However, if you are planning an upcoming beach trip, it’s important that you take every precaution you can to keep you and your family safe, especially if you’re going to go for a swim.

In fact, you should practice swimming safety whether you’re going to the beach or to a pool. Drowning accidents occur more than you realize, which is why swimming safety awareness is so important. 

5 Drowning Facts You Should Know

The following are a few important facts about drowning that everybody should know:

1. Outside of birth defects, drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages 1 to 4.
   
2. There are around 3,960 unintentional drownings every year in the U.S. alone.
   
3. Non-fatal drownings can occur, but they result in long-term health problems, such as brain damage.
   
4. There are an average of 8,080 non-fatal drownings every year in the U.S.
   
5. Alcohol is involved in up to 70% of the deaths that are associated with water recreation.

Swimming Safety Tips

If you’re going swimming this summer, keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Never leave children unattended in or near the water.
  
• Make sure that you teach your children how to swim before letting them go into the water.
  
• Do not drink alcohol while near or in the water.
  
• Wear a life jacket if you’re swimming in open water (such as off a boat).
  
• Don’t go swimming in bad weather.
  
• Stay within an arm’s length of anyone who is an inexperienced swimmer.
  
• If you own a pool, put up appropriate barriers to prevent people from falling in by accident.
  
• Don’t go swimming by yourself. Make sure there are other adults around in case anything happens.

Stay Safe in the Water This Summer

If you are going swimming, then be aware of how common drowning accidents can be if you’re not careful. Keep swimming safety in mind and visit us at The Benefits Store for more safety awareness tips.