On the week’s blog, we’re sharing some our favorite water safety tips for adults. It’s true that drowning is a major cause of death in children who are under the age of four. That’s why, on the Life Saver Pool Fence blog, we offer lots of pointers for keeping your kids safe. However, the truth is that adults also need to be careful around the water.
Let’s review some simple water safety tips for adults who will be swimming this summer. For instance, make sure there is a lifeguard on duty if you are swimming in a public space like the ocean. This rule isn’t only for children! Here are a few more tips to keep in mind:
Water Safety Tips for Adults
Don’t Drink and Swim
Having a drink before – or during – a swim may seem harmless. It’s all in good fun, right? This is a common thought, especially at a party. However, swimming while intoxicated can lead to serious injury. It is important to remember the type of effect alcohol can have on your body.
When we drink, we often develop some poor decision-making skills, impaired motor skills and loss of balance. This is why we don’t drive after drinking. The same rule can be applied to swimming. This unsafe combination can result in any number of clumsy and dangerous incidents, such as slipping on the wet floor of the pool area, blacking out while in the water or injuring yourself while trying to use the diving board. Alternately, if the water is too cold, your body will lose its ability to conserve heat because of the alcohol in your system, resulting in hypothermia. In the end, alcohol and swimming do not mix.
Boating
Boating on the open seas can be tricky. It has its own set of safety rules beyond those in a pool. When it comes to the open water, you should only swim in areas that are designated for swimming. However, even if you aren’t planning to swim, you should still always wear your life jacket when you are on the boat. This is the case for even the most experienced swimmers. When choosing a life jacket, use the guidance of the U.S. Coast Guard. It could save your life.
Hot Tub Safety
Hot tubs can be the perfect recipe for relaxation. They help you to unwind and take your mind off of your troubles. The hot water improves circulation and the water pressure can relax your muscles. Be careful, though. Sometimes you can become so relaxed that you can fall asleep. This can lead to drowning, or burns from the hot water.
It’s always good to have someone nearby when you are in the hot tub. In addition, be mindful of the temperature, which should be no higher than 100-102 degrees. Higher temperatures can cause severe burns.
Women who are pregnant should consult with their medical professional before entering a hot tub. The hot water raises body temperature, which can potentially harm the baby.
Don’t Swallow the Water
In a separate recent blog post, we talked about the dangers of swallowing pool water. While small amounts of water isn’t usually a serious health hazard, ingesting large quantities of pool water can cause health problems such as chlorine poisoning. Symptoms of this poisoning can include vomiting, difficulty breathing, and coughing.
