With summer right around the corner, now is a good time to remind yourself of important water safety guidelines.  It is important for all adults in the children’s lives to be on the same page about swimming pool rules, and an even better idea to use a Water Watcher Card for each child you take to the beach or pool.

According to Stop Drowning Now, a national water-safety organization, a Water Watcher Card is an important lifesaving tool.  “The Water Watcher Card is to be worn by a responsible adult whose only job is to actively supervise the children in the water for a specific amount of time ([such as] 15-minute shifts).  Water watcher tags are critical during parties or large gatherings. In 94% of the instances when a child drowns, adults thought another adult was watching the child. Water watcher tags are helpful in taking the guesswork out of “who is watching the children.“*[ http://www.stopdrowningnow.org]

A Water Watcher Card is a laminated reminder card attached to an elastic bracelet or lanyard.

Several different versions are available as free downloads:

• http://www.thezacfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/water-watcher-cards.pdf
• http://www.knowbeforeyougo.org/documents/WW%20Tag%203.pdf
• https://www.safekids.org/sites/default/files/documents/skw_water_watcher_card.pdf

or you can order them already made:

• https://www.imsafe.com/product/7-2970-water-watcher-tags-breakaway-lanyard-english
• https://safer3-org.presencehost.net/store/index.html

Brush up on important swimming safety tips:

“8 Life-Saving Water Safety Rules Every Parent Needs to Know” (Parents Magazine)

“Water Safety” (Kids Health)

“The Ultimate Guide to Swimming Safety For Kids” (Mom Loves Best)

“13 Water Safety Tips Every Parent Should Know” (via Buzzfeed)

“Water Safety: Tips for Parents of Young Children” “Healthy Children.org)