Summer Water & Heat Safety Tips

Summer brings tons of fun, sunshine, and excitement for children and their families. It’s a wonderful time for outdoor play, trips to the pool, beach days, and backyard water activities. While summer offers many opportunities for joyful moments and exploration, it also comes with important water safety considerations. To help your family enjoy a happy, safe summer, it is important to keep in mind these essential water and heat safety tips.

Always watch your child closely when they are near or in water. Stay within arm’s reach at all times, this is known as “touch supervision.” At pools, lakes, or beaches, assign a responsible adult as the “Water Watcher” to keep eyes on children at all times. This adult should not be distracted by cell phones, conversations or reading.

If you have a pool at home, it should be fully enclosed with a four-sided fence that includes a self-latching, self-closing gate. Empty kiddie pools, bathtubs,

buckets, and water tables right after use. Store water toys out of sight to prevent children from being tempted to reach into water unsupervised.

For open water activities such as boating or fishing, children should wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Inflatable armbands (“floaties”) and pool noodles are not life-saving devices and should never replace adult supervision.

Enroll your child in age-appropriate swim lessons. Teach them important rules like “Never go near water without an adult.” Practice safe pool entry and exits with them regularly.

Protect your child’s skin by applying toxic free sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Reapply every two hours and after swimming. Dress your child in lightweight, breathable clothing, and use hats for added sun protection.

Children can overheat quickly. Make sure they drink plenty of water before, during, and after outdoor play. If possible, plan outdoor activities for cooler times of day or alternate with frequent breaks in the shade or indoors. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion such as heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, or tiredness. If these occur, move your child to a cool place right away and offer fluids.

Learn CPR for infants and children — it can save a life. Keep a phone and rescue equipment like a life ring or reaching pole near any pool or swimming area. Always be ready to respond in case of an emergency.

Summer is a season filled with adventure, laughter, and lifelong memories — and with a few simple precautions, it can also be a season of safety. By staying vigilant around water, protecting your child from the sun and heat, and being prepared for emergencies, you can enjoy all the joys summer has to offer with greater peace of mind. Whether you’re heading to the pool, the beach, or just the backyard, keeping these safety tips in mind will help ensure a fun, healthy, and worry-free summer for the whole family.