Water Safety Tips Offered During National Water Safety Month
With summer just around the corner, millions of Americans will seek
relief from the sun and heat at local waterparks, pools, lakes, and
beaches. Using the backdrop of National Water Safety Month, Great Wolf
Resorts, Inc.® (NASDAQ: WOLF), North America’s
largest family of indoor waterpark resorts, reminds families to
stay safe in and around water this season.
“Parents are the single most important key to preventing water-related
incidents,” said Franceen Gonzales, outgoing chairperson of the World
Waterpark Association and vice president of aquatics for Great Wolf
Resorts. “Enjoying the pool or lake with your children gives kids
positive memories of the water, and it’s also good exercise and great
fun for the whole family.”
National Water Safety Month serves as a reminder to balance fun and
safety. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than one in
four fatal drowning victims are children under the age of 14 years, and
for every child who drowns, another four receive emergency care for
submersion injuries.
“These statistics are troubling because the majority of water-related
incidents can be prevented,” said Gonzales. Gonzales offers several tips
for staying safe in and around water this summer including:
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Parents should actively participate in water activities with weak or
non-swimming children. It’s best for parents to be interacting with
their children while in the water.
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Make sure young children and non-swimmers wear Coast Guard-approved
life jackets. Make sure the life jacket is fastened property.
Inflatable rafts, swim “floaties,” and other inflatable devices are
not appropriate life saving devices.
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Teach kids how to swim. Enroll children in swim lessons. These lessons
teach the basics of water safety and awareness, and kids will learn a
valuable life-skill while gaining confidence. Check with the local
YMCA, Red Cross, parks department, or school district to see if they
offer swim lessons. Some Great Wolf Lodge locations also offer swim
lessons, and all the resorts offer “Junior Lifeguard” sessions through
Cub ClubTM.
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Stay hydrated and be sure to take regular breaks out of the water to
stay alert and avoid fatigue.
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Try to swim where there are trained lifeguards on duty.
