Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune Here are tips to keep your little ones safe in the water. - Enroll children in swimming lessons. The best time to start is before age 6. Make sure a certified instructor teaches them.
- Never leave children unattended, even if a lifeguard is on duty.
- Be active in a child's swimming experience. Adults should swim with their children.
- Honestly assess a child's swimming ability. Can he swim in deep water without getting fatigued? Can he float? Can he swim without a flotation device?
- Don't allow children to swim alone; use the buddy system.
- Don't assume your child is "drownproof" because he or she has had swimming lessons or are wearing a personal flotation device.
- Allow no diving in areas where water is less than 9 feet deep.
- Swim only in designated swimming areas.
- Adults: learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- Be sure backyard pools are fenced in and gates are locked.
- Install a pool alarm.
- Wear brightly colored swimwear.
(Source: Foss Swim School and SafeKids.) (Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.shns.com.)
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