Tips For Safe Swimming In Virginia Waters This Summer

FAIRFAX, VA—Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and families will be heading to the pools, beaches and other swimming holes around Virginia. While it's often a fun experience, it's important to remember a few safety tips to ensure no serious injuries occur.

May is National Water Safety Month, a reminder to take precautions when swimming to reduce water-related injuries and deaths. Drowning is among the top causes of injury and death among 1 to 4-year-olds, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

With a variety of rivers, lakes and beaches located around the state, it's important to check where swimming is and isn't allowed. For instance, swimming is banned in the fast-moving waters of the Potomac River around Great Falls, according to the National Park Service. DC bans any swimming in the river.

At the beaches, do not enter the water if a swimming advisory has been issued. Virginia health departments test the water at 46 public beaches for bacteria levels during the swimming season and issue advisories if bacteria levels are too high. You should also look out for red flag warnings, which could mean rip currents and rough water conditions make swimming unsafe.

Fairfax County's Fire and Rescue Department shared additional tips from the American Red Cross ahead of the holiday weekend.

• Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
• Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
• Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well.
• Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
• Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
• Establish rules for your family and enforce them without fail.
• Even if you do not plan on swimming, be cautious around natural bodies of water including ocean shoreline, rivers and lakes. Cold temperatures, currents and underwater hazards can make a fall into these bodies of water dangerous.
• If you go boating, wear a life jacket! Most boating fatalities occur from drowning.
• Avoid alcohol use. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and coordination; affects swimming and diving skills; and reduces the body’s ability to stay warm.
• Actively supervise kids whenever around the water—even if lifeguards are present. Designate a responsible adult to supervise.
• Always stay within arm’s reach of young children and avoid distractions when supervising children around water.

If you have a pool

• Install and use barriers around your home pool or hot tub. Safety covers and pool alarms should be added as additional layers of protection.
• Ensure that pool barriers enclose the entire pool area, are at least 4-feet high with gates that are self-closing, self-latching and open outward, and away from the pool. The latch should be high enough to be out of a small child’s reach.
• If you have an above-ground or inflatable pool, remove access ladders and secure the safety cover whenever the pool is not in use.
• Remove any structures that provide access to the pool, such as outdoor furniture, climbable trees, decorative walls and playground equipment.
• Keep toys that are not in use away from the pool and out of sight. Toys can attract young children to the pool.