We love the water! We live in the land of 10,000 lakes and right next to Lake Superior so finding a way to spend time in the water is not very difficult. And it is hard to resist. Between playing in the sand to beach walks to water fun, my kids just can’t get enough. Since it is such a great way to spend a lazy summer day and cool off, I try to get my boys out to enjoy the weather!
We often spend time at a beach where the water depth is very shallow and it is easy to keep an eye on the kids. But that doesn’t mean I’m not constantly on the lookout and cautious. My boys are precious and I can’t bear to think of anything happening to them.
And if we aren’t at a lake, the water park often beckons us. Our kids absolutely love spending time there but we always keep safety at the top of our minds. Even though the water is shallow, things can happen. A couple of years ago our oldest smacked his face on the stairs and thankfully I was right there to usher him into the lifeguard station so we could stop the bleeding.
My Favorite Water Safety Tips
- Kids need reminders, so don’t forget to brush up on your water safety dos and don’ts before arriving at your destination.
- Leading by example is one way to get across the importance of water safety to kids!
- Nothing can take the place of adult supervision. The use of life jackets and presence of lifeguards certainly make the water safer but parents need to take an active role in watching their kids when they are near water.
Warren loved the unique look of this life jacket and the fact that it didn’t cover his whole upper body. He was immediately attracted to the adorable turtle design and arm flotation devices. Warren was excited to put it on, even if he thought by doing so we were ready to go to the waterpark. (Sorry buddy, not today!)
By offering an easy-to-use single buckle in the back and a polyester water-resistant outer layer, keeping your kids safer in the water has never been easier. As an added bonus, the patented design makes it a learn-to-swim aid!
Fun in the Sun Sweepstakes
Visit the Parents Magazine Facebook page during the month of May for your chance to win some amazing prizes! The Grand Prize is a $5,000 check to use toward your ultimate summer vacation. There will also be three first-place prize winners who will receive their choice of up to 2 Stearns(R) Puddle Jumper(R) lifejackets! You’ll also find feature stories on summer water safety and fun, plus tips from bloggers like me!
Just click on the “Fun in the Sun” tab to enter.
The sweepstakes ends May 31st!
What are your favorite tips for staying safe in the water?
BUY IT:
Stearns® Puddle Jumper® Life Jackets are designed for kids 30-50 lbs and are available at Target and Walmart locations nationwide and online, starting at only $16-18.99 each. Full suit options with flotation devices built in are also available!
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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Stearns(R) Puddle Jumpers(R) life jackets. The opinions and text are all mine
erin says
Just keep an eye on them all the time. One of my son’s school mates got dragged away by a current last year – his dad tried to save him. The dad actually succeeded in saving the son – they were both found later by a surfer – but the dad had passed away. The boy survived floating on his dad. Okay – sad right? Don’t want to be that story. Diligence. Never take your eyes off them.
Emilie says
That is such a horrible story. I can’t even imagine. 🙁
Ellen Thrifty & Chic Mom says
Water safety is so crucial, i am a safety lifejacket nut with my little ones!
ColleenMarie82 says
We have a puddle jumper and I really like it, I too am nervous in these types of situations. Safety never takes a Vacation.
I entered the sweepstakes.
Kate @ The Shopping Mama says
Love the very clear and easy to follow “Buckle goes on back” instructions! So simple, but so smart and helpful. Off to enter the sweeps!
Renee says
These are awesome and perfect for water play! I will have to check these out before we head out on the boat this summer. I love that it buckles in the back, where the kids can’t reach it!
Emilie says
Great point Renee! I’ve been fortunate that my kids haven’t tried to remove them but this makes me feel safer for sure. It only takes one time, right?
Carrie Phelps says
My best safety tip is to just never take your eyes off of them!!
Amy Orvin says
I love the jumper life jackets. It’s so important to use something like this around the water. I like your water tips too. Thanks for sharing them.
Alicia says
My tip is “Don’t go In the water”.
Emilie says
Aw, Alicia, where is the fun in that? 🙂
Priscilla Benavides says
You are absolutely right about children needing reminders because no matter how many times you tell them they do it over and over again and you constantly need to be repeating yourself but I think it’s ok because that’s part of being a good parent! Children are naturally wild and it’s up to us parents to tame these wild children into becoming responsible young adults as we raise them day by day!
Emilie says
Isn’t that the truth? I can remind my middle child several times a day to be quiet when his baby brother is napping but he still will skip to the bathroom singing, right outside his door. Remembering for preschoolers can be tough!
Michelle H. says
These are good. I want to emphasize that parents can’t take their eyes off their kids in the water or leave the younger ones alone in the water.
Jennifer Dysart says
adorable, love the turtle on the life jacket
Heather says
It is scary to think of the dangers of water for sure. Looks like these fun designs might be just the thing to encourage them to actually wear the life vest!
samantha s says
Thanks for this awesome article. Sometimes when my boys are having fun they just get so caught up in their playtime that they think everything that comes out of my mouth is sillywilly. I always have to calm them down every half hour and remind them to behave and caution them about the dangers of water or being careless. Every parent should do this when they have young kids.
gina says
How far above water does the puddle jumper keep the child? I got my daughter floaties but she still won’t let go of me in the water as they don’t keep her high enough to keep her mouth out of water.
Melissa A. says
This is one of the most important things of all. So many times I see people with kids on boats and no life jacket. Even if it’s a big ferry, my kids wear life jackets. Any boat can have an accident, even big passenger boats and they do not always sink slowly. You may not have time to put their jackets on. Swimming lessons are also a must for every child.
courtney b says
the neigbor’s baby next door almost died last week.. pool gates are a must too!