06/03/2026
⚠️ as a self-rescue swim instructor, these are some of the water safety hills I will absolutely die on. ⚠️
🌊🏊1. Swimming should be every child's first sport.
PERIOD. 🩵✨
I'm not saying soccer, gymnastics, dance, baseball, or football aren't valuable. They absolutely are. But none of those activities have the potential to save your child's life in an emergency.
Water is everywhere—pools, lakes, ponds, rivers, bathtubs, vacation rentals, and even buckets. Swimming is a life skill before it's a sport. Prioritize water safety first, then build the rest around it.
🛟 2. Puddle jumpers are one of my biggest concerns.
I know they're popular. I know they're convenient. I know kids love them.
But they teach dangerous habits.
Puddle jumpers keep children in a vertical position—the same position many drowning victims are found in. They encourage kids to kick and paddle upright with their heads held high above the water. The problem? Real swimming doesn't work that way.
They also create a false sense of confidence for both children and adults. Kids begin to believe they can independently navigate the water, and many don't understand why they suddenly can't when the flotation device comes off.
Even more concerning, they make floating feel unnatural. A child who is accustomed to keeping their head upright may resist the very position that could help save their life—rolling onto their back and resting in a float.
If your child isn't a swimmer yet, get in the water with them. Hold them. Play with them. Stay within arm's reach. Don't let a flotation device replace active supervision.
👀 3. If your mindset is "That could never happen to me because I watch my kids," you're already at a disadvantage.
Drowning doesn't only happen to negligent parents.
It happens to loving parents.
Attentive parents.
Responsible parents.
The common thread in so many drowning stories is that the family never thought it would happen to them.
Water accidents happen quickly, quietly, and often during normal everyday moments. Awareness and preparation save lives.
🚨 4. When everyone is watching, no one is watching.
This is one of the most common scenarios surrounding childhood drownings.
At family gatherings, birthday parties, vacations, and cookouts, adults often assume someone else is paying attention.
Never assume.
Assign a designated "water watcher." Make it crystal clear who is responsible for supervision. Put the phones away. Stay focused. Switch off responsibilities intentionally.
A child's life is too important to leave to assumptions.
☀️ 5. Sometimes the safest choice is not going to the pool.
I get it. Trust me.
As a parent, I know how disappointing it can be when your kids want to swim and you simply don't have enough capable adults available to safely supervise.
But if you're outnumbered by children who aren't strong swimmers, it may not be the right day for the pool.
Choose the sprinkler.
Choose the splash pad.
Choose water balloons.
There will be another pool day.
🏊♀️ 6. Not everyone who can swim can teach swimming.
Just because someone swims well doesn't mean they're qualified to teach water safety skills.
Teaching children to swim—especially young children—requires knowledge of child development, water safety, behavior management, progression, and emergency preparedness.
When choosing lessons, look beyond convenience and price. Ask about training, experience, certifications, and proven results.
🌊 7. The first thing I look for anywhere we go is water.
Vacation rentals.
Grandparents' houses.
Friends' homes.
Birthday parties.
Campgrounds.
I've learned that children are naturally curious and incredibly fast.
If water is present, I immediately start making a plan. How is it secured? Who's watching the kids? What barriers are in place?
Water safety starts long before anyone gets into the water.
🏡 8. If you own a pool, fence it.
Even if your children can swim.
Even if you only use it occasionally.
Even if you're always careful.
Layers of protection save lives. Self-rescue skills, supervision, alarms, locks, and fencing all work together.
No single safety measure is enough on its own.
❤️ Water safety isn't about fear. It's about preparation.
The goal isn't to be paranoid. The goal is to understand the risks, make smart choices, and give our children every possible layer of protection.
Because when it comes to drowning prevention, being proactive is always better than wishing you had done more.
