Summertime is beautiful in Montana, but those hot days often have us longing for the fun and relief of water. While the lake, river, or pool can be an incredible experience - great exercise, good fun, a chance to commune with nature - there are some inherent risks associated with being in or on the water.
Water safety - whether swimming, boating, or just being in and around water - means awareness of your surroundings. Know the water you’re in or around - and be mindful of the risks.
Drowning is a leading cause of death for children ages 1-4. Often, drownings of very young children happen when they gain unsupervised access to pools. So, be sure children are always supervised in a pool. Always ensure there are barriers to keep curious kids out. It takes only seconds for a child to drown, so prevention requires vigilance.
Drowning is also a risk at any age - not wearing a lifejacket, consuming alcohol, and unsafe use of boats and other watercraft can increase drowning risk. Respect the water. It’s important that you know the basics of how to swim, that you use life jackets, and that you practice responsible consumption of alcohol while in or on the water.
Whether it is in a family pool or in one of the many beautiful bodies of water in our state, summer and water are a great combination. Fun and good memories can be made in the water - and we can all work together to focus on safety.
Here are some tips for water safety.
https://www.cdc.gov/healthysc.../bam/safety/water-safety.htm
Original source can be found here.
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