Ahhh…summer…Sitting by a pool, reading, sipping an iced tea. For some it’s more like “How will I entertain the kids all day?” “Camp costs what?!” and “I can join that video call from the car - after camp drop-off.” Making summer even more stressful is that undercurrent of worry that our kids stay safe around water.
Over the next few months we’ll provide timely tips to help set your family up for a safe and fun summer in, on, and around water. Careful planning can help reduce stress and potential water incidents. Read these six tips to get your safe summer started.

1. Think ahead about any vacation days, and book hotels now.

• Whether it's a 3-day weekend, or a longer trip, pick the days now.
• Confirm the days off from work. Communicate your summer schedule to colleagues and direct reports.
• If vacationing around waterscapes is a priority, start researching hotels (see point #2) and book now. Waterscape properties are always in high demand - book early to grab those spots.
• Camp drop-offs and pick-ups can mess with your regular schedule. Meet with your manager to discuss any extra flexibility you'll need over the summer. Consider banding together with other parents to help emphasize the (temporary) need for extra flexibility.
• Mark and clear your calendar to be sure you don't book conflicting appointments.
• Make arrangements for pets, house plants and yard.

2. Consider water safety when researching hotel properties, vacation rentals, and any water activities and excursions.

• If you're considering any overnight stays at properties that have water features or are near waterscapes, here's a list of water safety questions to consider or ask.
• If you're staying at friends' or family's property that has a pool or access to any open water, ask about water barriers like pool fences or covers, and on-site rescue equipment. If any repairs, installation or purchases are needed, start making arrangements now.
• When planning water excursions, be mindful of your family's swim and water safety abilities. Don't book excursions that are too advanced. Base water activity decisions on ability, not age.

3. Refresh your CPR skills.
One of the five layers of protection for being safe around water is having an emergency action plan - which includes knowing how to do CPR. If it's been a while since you've practiced, take a refresher course. Though many companies offer classes, here's the link to Red Cross classes.​

4. Make sure all caregivers watching your children in and around water have the proper skills and certifications.

• Only people who know how to swim should be responsible for watching children in, on and around water. Make sure you know the swimming abilities of your caregiver, or of any caregiver you're interviewing. Be wary that some people overestimate their swimming skills. Ask direct, specific questions about their swimming skills and encourage them to be honest.
• Ensure that any caregiver watching your children around water has refreshed CPR/rescue breath skills.

5. Follow these for choosing camps with swim programs.​

• If you want a camp to provide swim lessons, research the swim program to be sure it's a good fit. Call the camp and ask questions (download this guide from the National Drowning Prevention Association). Talk to parents whose kids have attended and ask specific questions about the swim program.
• If the camp doesn't provide swim lessons, ask if there are any water features on or near their property, and how the children are supervised around the water.
• Getting kids to and from camp can be draining, consider arranging a carpool.
• Get the scoop on camps by asking friends or posting on social media.
• Use local resources like Mommy Poppins/NJ and Macaroni Kid

6. Build swim lessons into your summer plans.
Especially if your child doesn't take year-round swim lessons, summer is the time to progress their skills in sync with their age, maturity and physical growth. For most families swim lessons aren't negotiable. If you have a kid who's resistant, we'll give you some tips later about how to deal with that. For now, research programs and choose a reputable school that fits your schedule. Download this swim lesson checklist from the National Drowning Prevention Association. It will help organize notes from your research visits. Swim programs in our area often have waiting lists, so register now.  You can register for our swim programs here.