There has been a lot of concern about the increased number of swimmers' deaths in Minnesota this summer. A lot has been written here about keeping children safe. It was great to see KARE11 promoting the Water Watchdog. It is a pledge that parents and supervisors can take concerning children in the water.
The Water Watchdog program is part of the organization Abbey's Hope . Abbey Taylor is the Twin Cities girl who died after a tragic accident involving a pool drain in 2007. By taking the pledge, you will also receive a Water Watchdog 'dog tag' to wear to the pool or beach as a visual reminder.
The KARE11 story also has some additional helpful advice:
Tyler Green with the Life Time Fitness Aquatics Department says it's important to be your child's own personal lifeguard. Below are the rules he says every parent or guardian needs to follow:
1. Every child under 12 needs to be supervised.
2. Follow the 25:10 rule. If a child can't swim 25 meters continuously, an adult must be within 10 feet of that child.
3. Take a break every 15 minutes. Remember to reapply sunscreen, rehydrate and take bathroom breaks.
4. Keep all strollers at least 4 feet from the pool's edge.
It is great that this kind of advice and help is out there.
