7 ways to feel more confident when your kids play in the water

Water activities like pool time, beach trips and splashing in backyard sprinklers can bring joy and relief from summer heat.

At the same time, water accidents are on the rise — so safety shouldn't be far from your mind.

"No one expects their kids to get into trouble in the water," says Monica Hegedus, MD, a PeaceHealth pediatrician in Eugene, Oregon, who has experience in urgent care settings. "It happens when people aren't paying attention,” she says.“The unexpected can happen at any moment, especially with young children."

The good news? Most accidents are preventable when you use smart safety strategies.

The best water safety plans rely on more than one way to protect kids. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends layering your approach by using these seven proven safety methods.

1. Stay within arm's reach of little ones

When babies or toddlers are in or around water, an adult with swimming skills should be nearby at all times.

This means being close enough to reach out and touch them at any moment. If your toddler is playing in the shallow end, you'll want to be right there with them. If your baby is in a floaty, don't let it stray more than an arm's length from you.

If your kids are older and stronger swimmers, it's still important to focus on what they're doing in the water. Put away your phone and avoid conversations that take your attention away.

2. Choose a grown-up to be the "water watcher"

It's easy for any of us to get momentarily distracted by our phones and friends, but water accidents can happen in the blink of an eye.

Designate one adult to be the official watcher any time water play is on the agenda. This person has one job: Keep a close eye on kids in or near water.

Try not to multitask when you're the water watcher. Put down your phone and avoid other activities.

It helps to rotate this responsibility so the watcher stays alert. Consider trading off with another adult for breaks every 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Learn what drowning really looks like

Forget what you've seen in movies. Real drowning doesn't involve dramatic movements or shouts for help. It's much more subtle.

"Pay close attention," Dr. Hegedus says. "They may not be waving their arms. Watch their facial expressions and body movements to see if someone looks like they are in distress."

Signs someone may be drowning include:

• Tilting their head back with their mouth open.
• Closing their eyes or a glassy, unfocused gaze.
• Trying to swim but not making progress.
• Gasping or hyperventilating.
• Trying to roll onto their back.

If you see signs that someone is struggling, get them help right away.

Offer a flotation device if you have one, or help them out of the water if it's safe to do so. If it's not safe, call 911 and wait nearby.

4. Set up physical barriers around the pool

If your family has a pool, put up fences and walls around the entire pool area. This is one of the best ways to prevent kids from getting to pools when adults aren't watching.

Fences should be at least 4 feet high. Make sure they have self-closing and self-latching gates. Keep latches out of reach of young children.

Other helpful barriers include:

• Pool covers that can support weight.
• Door alarms from the house to pool area.
• Window alarms if kids can reach the pool through windows.
• Taking away or securing pool slides and ladders when not in use.

5. Consider swimming skills and water safety

Swimming lessons can help keep kids safer around water, but they're not a complete solution.

Most kids can start lessons around age 4. Some may be ready earlier. Even when kids know how to swim, they still need constant supervision near water, plus an understanding of basic safety rules.

"Along with swimming skills, they should also learn how to properly wear a life jacket, how to recognize if someone is in distress, how to dial 911, and — when they’re old enough — how to do CPR," Dr. Hegedus says.

Anyone enjoying water activities should prioritize their own safety and others' by:

• Swimming with a buddy in case something unexpected happens.
• Understanding their own swimming limits (depth, stamina, etc.).
• Not running around pool areas.
• Never diving into unfamiliar bodies of water (jump feet first instead).
• Knowing how to call 911 for help.

6. Be cautious with flotation devices

Water wings, pool noodles and inflatable toys are fun, but they're not life-saving devices. Always supervise kids when they use inflatable swimming aids like "water wings." These aids can deflate or a child can slip out of them.

For boating or activities in open water, use Coast Guard-approved life jackets instead.

7. Remove hazards around your home

A young child can get into trouble in as little as 1 inch of water. This means water hazards exist beyond pools and beaches.

To lower the risk of an accident, take these steps around your home:

• Empty buckets, coolers and containers after each use.
• Keep toilet lids down and consider installing bathroom door latches.
• Always supervise bath time. Never leave little kids alone in the tub.
• Fill in holes in your yard that could collect water.
• Make sure hot tub and spa covers are secure.

Every layer of protection matters

Water safety isn't about taking the fun out of summer. It's about making sure the fun continues safely. Multiple layers of prevention are important because no single strategy works perfectly every time.

It's also important to remember that water safety needs change as children grow. What works for toddlers is different than for teenagers. Stay informed about what's right for each age and adjust your approach as your kids get older.

By using multiple protective strategies together, you can help make sure that water activities remain a source of joy for your family.