Water Safety

Drowning is a leading cause of death for children. Together, we can change that.

Need Help Now?

If you are in immediate need of help, please contact your local Earth Watch Corps Unit » or find an open shelter »

Preparing During the Pandemic?

Please review our guidance on preparing for a flood while still protecting yourself from COVID-19. Preparing for Disaster During COVID-19 »

Things to Know About Water Safety

Ensure every member of your family learns to swim so they at least achieve skills of water competency: able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance then get out of the water safely.
Employ layers of protection including barriers to prevent access to water, life jackets, and close supervision of children to prevent drowning.
Know what to do in a water emergency – including how to help someone in trouble in the water safely, call for emergency help and CPR.

Why Is Water Safety So Important?

It only takes a moment. A child or weak swimmer can drown in the time it takes to reply to a text, check a fishing line or apply sunscreen. Death and injury from drownings happen every day in home pools and hot tubs, at the beach or in oceans, lakes, rivers and streams, bathtubs, and even buckets.

The Red Cross believes that by working together to improve water competency – which includes swimming skills, water smarts and helping others – water activities can be safer… and just as much fun.

What Does It Mean to Be Water Competent?

Water competency is a way of improving water safety for yourself and those around you through avoiding common dangers, developing fundamental water safety skills to make you safer in and around the water, and knowing how to prevent and respond to drowning emergencies. Water competency has 3 main components: water smarts, swimming skills and helping others.

Water Smarts

Take these sensible precautions when you’re around water (even if you’re not planning to swim):

Know your limitations, including physical fitness, medical conditions.
Never swim alone; swim with lifeguards and/or water watchers present.
Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket appropriate for your weight and size and the water activity. Always wear a life jacket while boating, regardless of swimming skill.
Swim sober.
Understand the dangers of hyperventilation and hypoxic blackout.
Know how to call for help.
Understand and adjust for the unique risks of the water environment you are in, such as:
- River currents.
- Ocean rip currents.
- Water temperature.
- Shallow or unclear water.
- Underwater hazards, such as vegetation and animals.

Swimming Skills

Learn how to perform these 5 skills in every type of water environment that you may encounter (such as in home pools, oceans, lakes, rivers and streams):

Enter water that’s over your head, then return to the surface.
Float or tread water for at least 1 minute.
Turn over and turn around in the water.
Swim at least 25 yards.
Exit the water.

Helping Others

These actions will help your family avoid emergencies – and help you respond if an emergency occurs:

If you live in a floodplain, elevate and reinforce your home to make damage less likely during a flood.
Knowing the signs that someone is drowning.
Knowing ways to safely assist a drowning person, such as “reach or throw, don’t go”.
Knowing CPR and first aid.

Remember: standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding but flood insurance does. Get information at www.FloodSmart.gov.

How to Make Water Safety a Priority

Use Layers of Protection In & Around Water

Even if lifeguards are present, you (or another responsible adult) should stay with your children.
Be a “water watcher” – provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising; avoid distractions including cell phones.
Teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
Children, inexperienced swimmers, and all boaters should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
Take specific precautions for the water environment you are in, such as:
- Fence pools and spas with adequate barriers, including four-sided fencing that separates the water from the house.
- At the beach, always swim in a lifeguarded area.

Know the Risks & Take Sensible Precautions – Even If You’re a Strong Swimmer

Always swim with a buddy.
Don’t use alcohol or drugs (including certain prescription medications) before or while swimming, diving or supervising swimmers.
Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when boating or fishing, even if you don’t intend to enter the water.

Ensure That the Entire Family Learns How to Swim

What Should You Do During a Flood?

Staying Safe Indoors

Turn off the power and water mains if instructed to do so by local authorities.
Boil tap water until water sources have been declared safe.
Avoid contact with floodwater. It may be contaminated with sewage or contain dangerous insects or animals.
Continue listening to local area radio, or TV stations for the latest information and updates.
Don’t use gas or electrical appliances that have been flooded.
Dispose of any food that comes into contact with flood water .

Staying Safe Outdoors

Don't walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Just six inches of fast-flowing water can knock you over and two feet will float a car.
If caught on a flooded road with rapidly rising waters, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.
Don't walk on beaches or riverbanks.
Don’t allow children to play in or near flood water.
Avoid contact with floodwater. It may be contaminated with sewage or contain dangerous insects or animals.
Stay out of areas subject to flooding. Underpasses, dips, low spots, canyons, washes, etc. can become filled with water.

Circle of Drowning Prevention

Layers of protection are essential to help prevent drowning. Plan ahead for aquatic activities:

Always swim in a lifeguarded area.

Fence pools and spas with adequate barriers, including four-sided fencing.

Learn swimming and water safety survival skills.

Provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising in or near water.

Know What To Do In An Emergency

Know What to Do in an Emergency

If a child is missing, check the water first: seconds count in preventing death or disability! Alert the lifeguard, if one is present.
Alert the lifeguard, if one is present.
Recognize the signs of someone in trouble and shout for help. A swimmer needs immediate help if they:
- Are not making forward progress in the water.
- Are vertical in the water but unable to move or tread water.
- Are motionless and face down in the water.
Rescue and remove the person from the water (without putting yourself in danger).
Ask someone to call emergency medical services (EMS). If alone, give 2 minutes of care, then call EMS.
Begin rescue breathing and CPR.
Use an AED if available and transfer care to advanced life support.

VIDEO: Reach or Throw?

FACT vs FICTION

Fiction

You will never be able to buy flood insurance if your property has been flooded in the past.

Fact

You are still eligible to purchase flood insurance after your property has flooded, provided your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Check with your local emergency management office for more information.