WATER SAFETY DAY 2019

Saturday, May 18, 2019 is WATER SAFETY DAY at Goldfish Swim School locations across the country. This annual event educates children about being safe in and around water through an entertaining festival atmosphere. Stop by to participate in presentations with Bubbles, the Goldfish Swim School mascot, and take in safety demonstrations and drills with staff lifeguards. Plus there are fun activities, crafts and games to enjoy as well.

Water Safety Day is open to all families with children living in communities where the swim schools are located. Your family doesn't have to be enrolled in Goldfish Swim School and it is FREE to participate in this golden experience. This Water Safety Day experience is a great way to reinforce the danger of drowning with kids, provide them with water safety tips, meet the staff at Goldfish Swim School and check out the pool facilities.

Contact your local Goldfish Swim School for specific details about what specific locations have planned for this year's WATER SAFETY DAY as well as the hours when their activities will take place. Find a location near you by visiting goldfishswimschool.com. There are Goldfish Swim Schools across the USA in Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin; as well as in Ontario Canada.

A Geek Daddy is a brand ambassador for Goldfish Swim School. In exchange for sharing my family's experiences at Goldfish Swim School, ageekdaddy.com receives complimentary products and services. Opinions expressed are honest and my own. We have been going to this swim school for a number of years and wouldn't have continued this partnership for so long if they hadn't earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval.

SWIMMING TIPS FOR FAMILY TRIPS

Playing in and around water is often a big part of many family vacations. While swimming is a really fun activity it can also be very dangerous. Did you know drowning is a leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States?! To get some tips to help ensure you return home from vacation with memorable moments rather than a tragedy, I chatted with Chris McCuiston, co-founder of Goldfish Swim Schools where my own kids are enrolled in swimming lessons, about water safety tips for family trips.

McCuiston is passionate about water safety not just because he is in the business of providing swimming lessons to children, but also because he himself is the father of four young boys. He believes it is important before you even leave on a family trip for parents to review for themselves safety tips and have a conversation with their little swimmers about dos and don’ts before going into the water at a hotel pool or ocean beach. Once at a location, look for posted rules and warnings to help avoid getting into troublesome situations.

Here are some water safety tips for a variety of places that are often visited when families are traveling:

Staying Safe at Hotel Pools

We all know a pool can be a huge difference maker when it comes to choosing a hotel you’ll be staying at. Swimming in a hotel pool could even be the highlight of a trip for some kids. It is important for parents to keep in mind that a hotel pool can be a bit different than swimming at local community pool when there are tons of other kids and families in the pool — and lifeguards on duty.

No worries, though…staying safe at an indoor pool just means following a few tips. Since hotel pools generally don’t have lifeguards, it’s important kids always swim with a buddy and have an adult present. If your little one needs a lifejacket, be sure to ask the hotel concierge before you travel to see if the hotel has any for guests to use. If not be sure to bring your own.

Swimming in the Ocean

Even if lifeguards are present on the beach, the ocean can be tricky, even for seasoned swimmers. Never swim alone (this goes for adults too!) and make sure little ones understand to stick close to an adult when near the water.

Oceans will have a rip current from time to time. Talk to a certified lifeguard at the beach to understand how to swim out of a rip current. And remember that drowning doesn’t always look as dramatic as it does in the movies, so learn the signs of drowning and what to do to stay safe.

Think Before You Jump in the Lake

Before blindly jumping off a dock or boat into a lake, take some time to scope out your surroundings. A lot of people break their necks, and other body parts, by diving into shallow water or hitting an object hidden under the water. Never take a running leap into the water before checking for depth & debris.

Lakes, ponds and rivers will often times have rocks and plants on the bottom. Make sure you keep your feet and hands away from them to avoid slipping or getting stuck. Sticking to designated swimming areas is always a smart move when it comes to having fun in natural bodies of water.

Waterparks, Safety and Fun

If your family trip involves a waterpark, yay! Sounds like a great time! For parents, it’s important to keep a constant eye on the kids at a waterpark. Make sure you designate a meeting place if you get separated, and go over the park rules before letting the kids loose to play. Little kids and kids who are not strong swimmers should wear lifejackets if they are allowed.

Boats and Cruise Ships

If your getaway involves a boat or a cruise ship, it’s a good idea to talk to your children about boating safety as well before going aboard. On a cruise ship make sure everyone pays attention to the safety instructions during the vessel’s orientation. While it is easy to not pay attention wanting to get the fun of your cruise underway this information is very important to know in case of an emergency. So don’t skip out and make sure the kids pay attention too!

On a smaller boat, make sure children have proper lifejackets and make sure they understand keeping hands and feet inside the boat at all times, as well as no standing when the boat is underway, and no running on the boat ever.

Learning to Swim

No matter if you are at an Atlantic Ocean beach or Universal’s Volcano Bay Waterpark, the best way to be safe in the water is having basic swimming skills. Our instructors at Goldfish Swim School use integrity, compassion and trust to teach families lifesaving swim skills — skills that can be used to stay safe while traveling on a trip. We promote year-round lessons at Goldfish Swim School allowing children to continue practicing new swim skills, work on getting stronger at the skills they’ve already learned, and reinforce how to stay safer in and around the water.

In addition to teaching swimming skills and strokes, we also talk to our students about how to get to safety and how to act in a potential emergency situation. No matter the time of year, with our indoor pools Goldfish Swim School is ALWAYS teaching kids ages 4 months to twelve years old safety skills during each and every swim lesson. For more water safety tips, information about our classes, or to find a location near you, please visit us at goldfishswimschool.com

A Geek Daddy is a Goldfish Swim School Brand Ambassador. I receive free products and services in exchange for sharing my family's experiences at the swim school. Opinions expresses are honest and my own.

KICK OFF SUMMER WITH WATER SAFETY PRESENTATION

School just wrapped up for the girls soccer team that I coach and my friends at Goldfish Swim School kindly invited them out to kickoff their break with a summer water safety presentation and by having some fun playing in the pool.  It was a great team bonding experience plus a nice way to reinforce some important message with the girls about being safe in and around the water as they get ready for a few months of summer fun.  The staff at Goldfish Swim School, along with their mascot Bubbles, provided some important tips to the girls.

Did you know accidental drownings are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 - 4 and second next to automobile crashes for those aged 4 up to 14.  So this is an important topic for kids especially at a time when they are getting ready to spend time at beaches, on boats, and in pools during the summer. The presentation highlighted some simple things to do to stay safe that are often overlooked by kids causing injuries and death.

The girls were reminded that even if they are strong swimmers when out on a boat they should still always wear a life vest.  Also if they are swimming with a friend who is in trouble get help instead of trying to provide aid themselves and potentially getting dragged under the water by the person they are trying to assist. Plus when at a pool or water park always know and follow the rules!  Life guards enforce rules not to hinder your good time but rather to make sure everyone is safe in the water.

Whether or not a child is taking swim lessons at one of their pools, Goldfish Swim School wants every kids to be safe in and around water.  So they provide free safety presentations like this one. Bubbles and his Goldfish Swim School friends will visit daycares, schools and recreation centers to help make sure children know basic water safety tips.



If you are with a community group, sports program or school involved with children between the ages of 4 and 9 years old contact a local Goldfish Swim School to inquire about their complimentary W.A.T.E.R. Safety Presentation. Bubbles loves to swim on over to libraries and schools to meet kids! Head over to goldfishswimschool.com for more information.

After the presentation, my team filled the pool with laughs and smiles as they enjoyed the day's open swim hours.  It is nice seeing the girls being friends on and off the soccer field!  Spending quality time together like this is a great way to build team symmetry. Thanks Goldfish Swim School for providing them with an educational and entertaining afternoon!

GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL WATER SAFETY MONTH

From my family's own experience at Goldfish Swim School we know that they emphasize water safety training with their students throughout the year.  With summer approaching and knowing that is a prime time for children to be spending time in and around the water, Goldfish Swim School puts an extra emphasis on safety during the month of May.  They want to make sure that as their students are enjoying themselves at beaches, pools and water parks, the kids are being safe as well as having fun.

In fact, last summer when my son got in an over his head situation while at a water park that could have quickly become dangerous, he used the water safety tips he had worked on during lessons at Goldfish Swim School to keep his cool.  He didn't panic, treaded water, looked for the closest point to get out of the water, and got the attention of a lifeguard to help him. You can read more about how Goldfish Swim School saved the day in this past ageekdaddy.com blog post.

Did you know … According to the CDC (United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, DROWNING is the leading cause of injury death to children ages one to four and the second leading cause after motor vehicle injuries for children between the ages of five and fifteen.

Being safe around water is an important issue for every family.  All kids need to have the knowledge and skills to be safe! Goldfish Swim School surprised my family with a Water Safety Month themed box of goodies to highlight the importance of this topic as we head into the Memorial Day weekend that kicks off summer activities for many families across the country. Check out what we unboxed:

WATER SAFETY TIPS

Here are some tips based upon the items we discovered inside our Goldfish Swim School Water Safety Month box:

Make water and swim safety a FUN, FAMILY activity! Goldfish uses the Science of SwimPlay® in lessons to capture children's attention because they learn best through play.  My kids love how Bubble's the goldfish mascot! This cheerful goldfish provides a youthful vibe to the swim school and helps make communications with children relatable to them. The twins were delighted to get a Bubbles plush in our Water Safety Month box.

In addition to Bubbles, Goldfish also uses toys, prizes, and other tools to engage kids and make their learn-to-swim experience FUN!  The plastic Bubbles toys included in our box are always a hit with my kids.  Different styles are given out during the year tied to the swim school's theme of the month as a reward for children doing well in class.  These toys are great for playing with in a bathtub or pool and our puppy Penny has also taken a liking to chewing on these when she can steal one from the kids. Stickers and temporary tattoos like the ones also shown in the unboxing video are also given out to students.  There is a different type of reward given out each week of the month to help keep students excited about regularly attending swim class.

Any time kids are around water, designate a "water watcher" who will avoid cell phones, conversations, magazines and anything else that might distract the adult from watching swimming children. Often times children who drown are actually being supervised by an adult.  A water watcher lanyard is one way to remind people about the importance of this responsibility.

An illustrated booklet that highlights Goldfish Swim School's W.A.T.E.R. safety rules was also included in the box.   It is a great way to reinforce these water safety messages with children at home:

W -- WEAR your life jacket

A -- ACT to get help for someone in trouble.  Don't go in yourself to try and help.

T -- TAKE swim lessons.

E -- EDUCATE yourself on swim safety skills

R -- RESPECT. Play it cool and follow the rules!

Goldfish Swim School instills these W.A.T.E.R. safety rules with their students during swimming lessons, at special pool events like WATER SAFETY DAY, and through presentations for churches, civic organizations, libraries, youth groups and schools.  Contact your local Goldfish Swim School to find out about these free presentations.

According to the American Red Cross, the number one thing that parents can do to keep kids safe in the water is to enroll them in swim lessons.  Goldfish offers their trademark perpetual swimming lessons as well as special 1-week Jump Start Clinics during the summer. Jump Start Clinics include four or five consecutive days* of 30-minute swim lessons that focus on everything from teaching the fundamentals of water safety to fine-tuning stroke technique. These clinics are specially designed for families looking to get their kids water-ready in a hurry compared to the ongoing perpetual lessons that are for 30 minutes once per week that go on indefinitely through the year.

JUMP START CLINIC GIVEAWAY

To help one lucky winner get a child in their life ready to swim for the summer, A GEEK DADDY is giving away a one week Jump Start Clinic at Goldfish Swim School good at any of their Metro Detroit locations (Ann Arbor, Birmingham, Canton, Clarkston, Farmington Hills, Macomb, or Rochester).  The participating child must be between the ages of four and ten years old. Who wants it?!

To enter simply email thegeekdaddy [at] yahoo [dot] com before 11:59 pm EST on June 1, 2018 with a message sharing who you would give these lessons to and why they would be appreciated. Please include your full name, mailing address and phone number so you can be contacted if you win. The winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entrants. Good luck!!!

If you are looking for a place for your kids to take swimming lessons give Goldfish Swim School a try.  My family has had a golden experience there.  Stop by and check out the pool at a location near you.  When dropping by tell them A Geek Daddy sent you. Have a wonderful and safe summer everyone!

DISCLAIMER & RULES:  A Geek Daddy is hosting this promotion as a benefit to our readers. Must be a US  resident over the age of 18 to participate who resides within the State of Michigan.  Each eligible entry will be assigned a number and one number will be randomly generated to determine the winner.  Attempting to utilize multiple email accounts or otherwise trying to participate in this contest more than once per person will disqualify an individual.  If you win this prize through another blog participating in this promotion you will be disqualified.  Goldfish Swim School is responsible for the fulfillment of this prize.  Entrant emails will be deleted at the conclusion of this promotion and not shared with Goldfish Swim School other than the recipient of the prize to assist with facilitating providing the prize.  By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog.

GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL WATER SAFETY DAY

Goldfish Swim School locations across the country will be celebrating Water Safety Day on Saturday, May 19, 2018 and everyone in the community is welcome to stop by their pools for a special event. While water safety is a topic the swim school takes very serious and focusses on throughout the year with its students and their families, this one day event is a great way to reinforce these important messages in a fun way. Stop by to check out a presentation about being safe in the water with Bubbles, Goldfish's mascot, as well as take in some safety demonstrations and drills in the pool led by swim school instructors and lifeguards. Plus there will be fun activities and games to participate in as well. Water Safety Day events are open to the public and FREE to attend.  Your family doesn't have to be Goldfish Swim School members to participate in this golden experience.

The Goldfish Swim School facility that my kids are enrolled at has a lot of fun festivities planned for May 20th. You have your choice of jumping in their indoor pool or some outdoor bounce houses during their Water Safety Day festivities. Complimentary beverages, hotdogs and snacks will be given out from a food truck in their parking lot as well. Plus my daughter's favorite part of last year's event will be returning again ... an incredibly talented balloon artist who will be providing kids with some wonderful souvenirs to take home with them. Plus there will be lots of other things to do that you'll have to stop by to find out about. Did I mention this is all FREE for parents and children who stop by whether or not you are taking lessons at the swim school?!

Contact your local Goldfish Swim School for specific details about what specific locations have planned for Water Safety Day as well as the hours when their activities will take place. Find a location near you by visiting goldfishswimschool.com. There are Goldfish Swim Schools across the USA in Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin; as well as in Ontario Canada.

Whether or not you can make it to Water Safety Day, here are some tips from my friends at Goldfish Swim School to keep in mind to be proactive in avoiding a tragedy:

• Keep it Fresh:  When the weather warms up families start spending more time in and around water. As summer approaches make sure to go over water safety rules and practice with children what to do in an emergency. Use your own behavior in and around water as a model for kids to follow. They are more likely to pick up on how to stay safe around water by following your example. 

• Pool Rules: If you are going to be spending a lot of time around pools it is always a good idea to have some hard-and-fast rules for your family. No running. No diving in head first. Depending on the ages of your kids, you might require a lifejacket, or have a “no going in the deep end” rule. It’s also a good idea to have built-in breaks. Swimming is tiring and you can get dehydrated or fatigued without really realizing it. Taking a 15-minute break each hour to drink some water and chill is a great rule to make your own this summer! 

• Never Swim Alone:  This is a rule that should NEVER be broken, no matter where you go or how old you are. Even the strongest swimmers can cramp up or have a medical emergency. Don’t enter the water anywhere, for any reason, alone. No surfing at the ocean, kayaking on the lake or doing laps at the hotel pool by yourself. 

• Get CPR Certified:  Even families with the best laid plans can find themselves in an emergency situation. Being prepared – and trained – for an emergency is one of the best water safety tips out there. Have someone in your family become CPR certified (with rescue breathing) or maybe do it together as a group activity. It’s a relatively quick and easy class and it’s offered by community centers and other local groups. It could save a life.

• Always Pay Attention:  There could be a hundred adults around a pool party but if no one is paying attention to what is going on in the water it really doesn't matter how many people are there. Sometimes, even a few minutes of inattention can be deadly in and around water. When water is around, there should always be a few dedicated “water watchers” whose sole job is to keep an eye on the swimmers. Vigilance is key. No chatting, no checking your phone. Watch the water and those in it.

• Lessons Learned: One of the best ways to keep kids safer in and around water is to teach them to respect it. One of the best ways to do that is to enroll them in swim lessons. The confidence and skills they’ll learn are invaluable.

Being enrolled at Goldfish Swim School has been a wonderful experience for our family.  Both my son and daughter have really excelled in developing their swimming skills through the lessons they've taken there.  But in addition to mastering swimming strokes, they've also learned how to remain calm and handle problems that could endanger them while in or around the water.   In fact, last summer when my son got in an over his head situation while at a water park that could have quickly become dangerous, he used the water safety tips he had worked on during lessons at Goldfish Swim School to keep his cool.  He didn't panic, treaded water, looked for the closest point to get out of the water, and got the attention of a lifeguard to help him. You can read more about how Goldfish Swim School saved the day in this past ageekdaddy.com blog post.

We've attended Water Safety Day at our local Goldfish Swim School the last several years and always had a great time.  As a parent, I appreciate fun family activities like this that are both entertaining and educational.  This event absolutely gets A Geek Daddy nod of approval! 

DAD TO DAD CHAT: GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL

** A Geek Daddy is a Goldfish Swim School brand ambassador **

I spent some time chatting with fellow dad, Chris McCuiston, the co-founder of the swim school my kids take lessons at in this edition of A Geek Daddy's DAD TO DAD CHAT segment.  Chris started Goldfish Swim School with his wife as a single location in Birmingham, Michigan eleven years ago and over the last decade has franchised more than 40 locations across the United States.  He shares some thoughts with us about entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and swimming lessons.

Since starting Goldfish Swim School not only has your business grown but so has your family.  Tell us about your kids?

I'm the proud dad of four boys ranging in age from 2 to 8 -- Charlie, Jack, Brody & Reid.

As a dad yourself what do you really want to instill with the kids who attend Goldfish Swim School?  

We want to help children build a respect and love for the water while building safer and more confident swimmers.

How does Goldfish stand out from other swimming instructional programs?  

When my wife, Jenny, first came to me with the idea of opening a swim school, it was because she knew there was a better way and better place to teach swim lessons. We’ve fulfilled that need with Goldfish – not only do we build our facilities with kids and families in mind (warm water, inviting environment, private changing rooms, hair drying stations, bright colors, etc.), we also offer a safe place for kids to learn about water safety, while also having fun. Our members become a part of our Goldfish family and we love hearing how much their families love Goldfish.

How can dads utilize the Goldfish Swim School experience as a way to bond with their kids?

In our Mini classes, dads can get in the water with their babies and spend an uninterrupted 30 minutes bonding with their child. That time is so important and beneficial not only to each child’s individual growth, but also to their relationship with their parent. As your kids get older, the entire family can come and enjoy Family Swim – having fun in the water, working on new skills and playing with our water toys. We have monthly Family Night Out events as a time for families to come together, enjoy each other’s company and have fun!

What is the most important thing every parent should know when it comes to water safety and their kids?  

The most important thing is to always make sure that an adult is supervising your kids while they are in and around the water. Swim lessons are the number one way to help keep your kids safer around the water, but it is still so important that someone is watching. Accidents can happen in an instant.

Goldfish has gone from a single mom and pop operated location in Birmingham, MI to becoming a successful corporation franchising numerous locations in multiple states -- what is your continuing vision and expectations for the brand?  

We never imagined that Jenny’s vision would turn into what it is today, it’s amazing how far we’ve come in 11 years. Our goals for the future are to continue to grow into new markets – the more locations we open, the more kids and families we have the ability to teach. We are committed to continuing to provide the best service, teachers and curriculum to remain the premier learn-to-swim destination for families. We want to continue to have a positive impact on the community and help more and more kids learn how to be safer in and around the water.

How do you balance work life and family life ensuring you spend quality time with your kids? What is your favorite way to bond with your kids?  

We balance work and life by making sure we set clear expectations around work and play. Clear communication is important along with accountability. We also have the benefit of working together so that helps us find time to be together both in and out of work. Jenny and I were both former athletes so we enjoy spending time with our kids on the baseball field, football field and in the pool.  

You played collegiate baseball at Michigan State University -- has that experience impacted how you handle your professional and personal life?  

Playing college baseball taught me a lot about teamwork, how to handle responsibility and how to handle winning and losing. There are so many situations that you encounter playing a college sport and I think those situations prepared me for the challenges of running a business and having a family.  

You obviously were involved with sports as a kid -- how important do you believe it is for today's children to be involved with organized athletic activities whether that be playing on a school sports team, joining a rec soccer league or participating in a swimming program at Goldfish? 

 I think being involved in sports and activities is so important for a child’s development. It teaches kids to be a part of something that is bigger than them, how to work with others and to set goals and work to achieve them. They will carry and use those skills for the rest of their lives.

Does your family have any traditions when it comes to celebrating Fathers Day with you?  

The only tradition is to allow Dad to sleep in.  With a family of 4 boys, there is not a lot of quiet time or down time. In all honesty, we tend to spend the day together and cook out with family at night. I enjoy entertaining and being with people so it’s fun to get the family together for special events.

Water Safety Tips for Summer Fun

** This is a sponsored post by Goldfish Swim School **

Summer has just started and already a rash of children drowning across the nation are being reported.  This topic hit especially close to home for us when a young family member of one of my son's classmates  recently drowned.  While having fun in and around the water is a really great way to enjoy the summer please remember to always take safety precautions to help ensure that an enjoyable time doesn't turn into a tragic moment.  Chris McCuiston, co-founder of Goldfish Swim School, shared with A Geek Daddy water safety tips for when you are having some summer fun at the pool or beach:

Never leave a child unattended in or around water.  Make sure there is a designated watcher on duty and that kids aren't swimming alone.  Drowning can happen in the time it takes to send a text message or answer a phone call so don't let yourself be distracted when it is your responsibility to safeguard children in the water.

No matter what your age or skill level, always swim with at least one other person.  If something happens you know there is someone else in proximity to help out or go for help.

Making sure kids know how to swim is the best way to stay safe in the water.  Even for kids who "know" how to swim, lessons are still beneficial.  One key lesson taught at Goldfish Swim School is if a child falls in the water, have them turn around to look where they fell in, keep their head above water and swim to the edge where they came in.  Kids have a tendency to think the easiest way out is across the pool when they might be closer to the edge than they think.

Goldfish Swim School has programs for children as young as infants and toddlers that get them comfortable in the water and provide some basic safety skills for them and their parents.  Swim lessons are also offered for children 4 to 12 years old that range from providing basic skills necessary for swimming to mastering a variety of strokes.  Focused on providing lessons to children, Goldfish Swim School provides a highly personal experience for each student within a family-friendly facility.

Whether you are boating or swimming, make sure there are life preservers and U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vests available for all swimmers.  Plus have a first aid kit handy as well.

While you shouldn't be on the phone while kids are swimming make sure you have one nearby so you can quickly call 911 if you need to.

Every second counts in an emergency!  Knowing CPR and other first aid skills can be a real life saver in an emergency while waiting for medical professionals to arrive and provide assistance.

No matter if you are an adult or a child it is always important to be cautious and respect the water.  Cramps, undertow, and other unexpected situations can put even the most skilled swimmer in jeopardy.  As much fun as it is to play and swim in the water it is important to always keep in mind that a dangerous situation can arise at anytime.

Spending time in and around the water is a part of summer that many people love.  Don't be afraid of water! Just make sure you're prepared to be safe by following these safety tips for summer fun and are always vigilant about being cautious around beaches and pools.  For more safety tips and information about swimming lessons, please visit goldfishswimschool.com.

Goldfish Swim School Water Safety Day 2017

** A Geek Daddy is a brand ambassador for Goldfish Swim School **

My daughter and I attended the annual WATER SAFETY DAY event hosted by Goldfish Swim Schools at the location where she takes her lessons this weekend. Bubbles, the school's mascot, provided a safety tips presentation where kids who participated earned special ribbons and safety badges.  Plus kids could work on their water safety skills in one of the facility's pools with some help from the school's instructors.  It was a great safety refresher for the children who are members of the swim school and the event was also open to the general public so parents considering signing up their kids for lessons could take advantage of the presentation and activities with their children as well while checking out the place and meeting some of the staff.

While water safety is a serious matter there was also a lot of fun and games associated with this free event. Kids were treated to face painting, a goofy photo booth, bounce houses, and balloon animals.  Plus there was a family open swim time going on in the main pool that was available to anyone who wanted to jump in.

The highlight of this year's WATER SAFETY DAY though for my daughter was the foam bubble battle she had with her swim teacher in Goldfish Swim School's parking lot which was closed off to provide a carnival space for entertaining activities. It was nice to see the kids getting to know their instructors outside of the pool and having a good time hanging out with them.  I'm sure that will have a positive impact on their rapport during lessons.

If you weren't able to attend this year, here are six important questions every parent should ask themselves before allowing a child to be around the water that Goldfish Swim School's staff emphasized during the event:

1. When can my child swim alone?
Depending on a child's swimming skills you don't necessarily need to be in the water with them, but juveniles should always have someone within eye contact of them. Here are some more tips to keep in mind to help you determine if your child is ready to swim alone.  That being said, kids should always swim with a buddy and actually adults should too!  Having a buddy present in the water means there’s someone there to assist if needed, or to go get help should an emergency arise.

2. When should we use puddle jumpers and/or life jackets?
When learning to swim, we believe it is more beneficial for kids to learn without water wings, puddle jumpers or life jackets. However, every child should always wear life jackets when on a boat (and it’s generally the law in every state that kids ages 13 and younger must wear life jackets on boats). Beyond that, you’ll have to consider what kids of water you’re in, how deep it is, your child’s skill level, if you’re in the water, and other issues.

3. What are the signs of drowning?
Drowning happens quickly, and it can be difficult to notice because it doesn’t involve crazy splashing and loud yelling. If someone is having trouble in the water, they may quietly slip under the water. That’s why it’s important to recognize the signs of drowning and what to do if someone appears in distress.

4. How can I help my kids become better swimmers?
Did you know that teaching kids water safety helps kids to become better swimmers? It’s true. When kids – and all of us, really – understand what it takes to be safer in the water and implement those points, the focus can be on improving swim skills. Perpetual (year-round) swim lessons are best and truly helps keeps kids safer in the water.

5. How can we stay safe in an indoor pool?
Even if you’re not swimming outdoors, there are certain considerations that need to be made to stay safe at an indoor pool.  For instance, make sure young children aren’t enticed to go near the pool unattended to scoop up toys randomly floating around – and always keep an eye on your kids, even if there’s a lifeguard on duty.

6. What to do if I don’t know how to swim?
It can be quite the conundrum: How do you keep your kids safe in the water when you don’t know how to swim yourself? First of all, it’s important to not impart any fear of the water onto your kids. And teaching your kids to swim and learn the 5 things every kid should know how to do in the water helps empower your kids and yourself to be safer and confident in the water.

If you didn't attend WATER SAFETY DAY make sure it is on your radar to swing by your local Goldfish Swim School next year to join in the activities.  The event is full of family-friendly fun plus also provides some valuable educational information to help keep kids safe.  And as I mentioned before...it is FREE to attend for any family with preschool and school aged children. We really had a good time!

For more information about water safety tips and swimming lessons at Goldfish Swim School, please visit goldfishswimschool.com.