Safety precautions, conversations needed before heading to the water
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Across the country, hundreds of people drown each year and it remains a top five unintentional death for people up to five years old.
This is why experts say it’s important to know the best way to prepare before heading out for a fun day by the water.
“Going over how a life jacket works with kids can be incredibly helpful,” Bryan Aquatic Center Head Lifeguard, Kannon Torres, said. “It’s something I can lean on and something that if I were to be struggling, I know I am okay at the top of the water with it.”
Torres says safety conversations need to happen with children before heading to the pool or even a natural body of water. But, these may need to be different conversations. One, has experts they can listen to and the other may just be on the parents.
“The main difference between certain kinds of ponds or lakes and pools is, more often than not pools are going to have those lifeguards on stand. So it’s important to recognize where they are or the backup personnel that they have. Pools are more clear than ponds and lakes are so it’s incredibly important to have that conversation with people instead of just jumping in head first try and make sure that you’re in a safe area before having that fun playtime.”
Sometimes kids are too young to understand water safety. This is why Isabell Baldwin says she makes sure her son has his floaties before heading out to Lake Bryan.
“Just for safety reasons, he can’t swim yet, he’s only 2 so it’s really important for him and other kids to just be safe in the water,” Baldwin said.
Torres also encouraged residents never to swim alone and to make sure they’re hydrated while spending a day by the water, especially in the Texas summer.
The Bryan Aquatic Center is currently hiring lifeguards. For more information visit their website here.
