Water Safety Campaign Will Make You Put Your Phone Down

Summer will quickly be upon us, and with hotter climate and youngsters ending up faculty, many people are heading to the pool or seashore. With that in thoughts, and May being National Water Safety Month, the YMCA of the USA has launched a new marketing campaign round water security—and it’s focused at dad and mom. 

The message is easy: “Phones Down, Eyes Up.” It serves as such an important reminder (and never simply round water security both).

What ‘Phones Down, Eyes Up’ Is All About

Drowning is the main reason for demise for kids between the ages of 1 and 4, in keeping with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) notes 50% of youngsters drown inside 25 yards of a guardian or different grownup, with distraction being a key issue.

One of the principle causes we take our eyes off kiddos in and across the water? Our telephones. “If that distraction happens around the water, it can have serious, even fatal consequences,” says Lindsay Mondick, the director of aquatics technique and high quality practices for YMCA.

The “Phones Down, Eyes Up” marketing campaign, which additionally features a pledge, urges dad and mom and caregivers to place gadgets down and away whereas supervising youngsters in and across the water. 

Furthermore, the marketing campaign endorses designating an grownup as a “water watcher,” with eyes on youngsters in and round water, utterly distraction-free. That means no alcohol, no chatting, and no telephones.

Parents might imagine they’ll rapidly reply to a textual content, create a procuring record, or have a look at a social submit whereas supervising youngsters in water. But Mondick emphasizes that they should not. “Drowning is silent and might occur in as little as 30 seconds,” she says. “Drowning isn’t like it’s within the motion pictures.”

That means it is unlikely you’ll hear somebody struggling within the water, Mondick says.

“It’s essential to actively watch the water,” she provides. “When our telephone is in entrance of us, we’re not seeing what’s happening round us.”

This can also be true of many actions that require parental supervision. “This message is a great reminder for all aspects of life, not just around water,” Mondick affirms. “It’s all about leading by example and fostering a more present and engaged environment.”

Other Important Water Safety Reminders

Beyond placing down your telephone and actively supervising youngsters, Mondick says different protecting measures round water to not overlook embody:

• Proper limitations. “Barriers like fences and alarms are necessary to help prevent drowning, especially in young children, and may be required by law in some states,” Mondick says.
• Water competency. Mondick recommends swim classes for teenagers as younger as 6 months of age, in addition to water security programs, which train little ones what to do in the event that they unexpectedly discover themselves in water.
• Wearing life jackets. “The YMCA of the USA recommends non-swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets that are designed to keep a person’s head above water if they go unconscious,” says Mondick. Swimmies or arm floaties give dad and mom a false sense of safety, and should not sufficient to stop drowning, she additional cautions, calling these “toys” and never a security machine.
• Emergency preparation and planning. Mondick urges all dad and mom and caregivers to take First Aid and CPR programs so they’re ready for an emergency.

“Teach children to ask permission before entering or nearing the water,” Mondick additional advises dad and mom. “This helps prevent them from going into the water on their own. Caregivers can reinforce this at home, every time children get in the bathtub.”

Another essential reminder about water security is that even kids who know the right way to swim can drown. “Not letting your guard down around older kids is a major piece of water safety that often gets overlooked,” Mondick shares. Accidents can nonetheless occur—particularly in massive teams as a result of others assume another person is watching. 

Consider too that teenagers usually take dangers and ignore security guidelines on account of peer strain, so keeping track of them within the water remains to be necessary. 

Ultimately, Mondick needs households to have enjoyable this summer time, however with security high of thoughts—and with their telephones down, eyes up.