09/06/2026
Labor Day is for relaxing, making memories, and enjoying the last days of summer but water safety should be part of the plan.
Before heading to the pool or lake, remember these four DOs:
1. DO assign a Water Watcher.
One adult should watch the water with no phone scrolling, conversations, or distractions. Rotate when needed. Find a printable Water Watcher card in the comments.
2. DO check your barriers.
Test pool gates, door locks, alarms, and doggie doors. Busy gatherings can leave barriers unsecured.
3. DO wear a life jacket around open water.
Use a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket on boats, docks, and in the ocean. Even strong swimmers can face rip currents, changing conditions, and other hazards.
4. DO clear the water and surrounding area.
Put away toys and floats, keep decks and docks clear, and make sure you can see the bottom of the pool. Prevent tempting a child to return to the water for a toy alone
Supervision is essential but it cannot be our only safety plan. Teach children to never enter the water alone and help them build swimming skills in the pool without relying on flotation devices.
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend. Have fun, make memories, and make water safety a priority ❤️🤍💙