In summertime, many families will head to the lake to beat the heat and cool off. To keep you and your family safe, the experts from the Children's Health℠ Injury Prevention program offer these boating and lake safety rules for kids.
1. Enroll in a boater safety course
Taking a boater safety course is required in Texas for anyone born on or after September 1, 1993. A boater safety course can make boat rides safer and more enjoyable for everyone onboard. Texas Parks and Wildlife provides answers to frequently asked questions about safely operating a boat.
2. Wear a well-fitted and approved life jacket
Make sure you and your child wear a U.S. Coast-Guard approved life jacket at all times when boating or on a personal watercraft. A properly fitted life jacket for kids is snug, yet comfortable, and will not move above the chin or ears when you lift it at the shoulders. And remember that kids do what their parents do. Set a good example and show them that safety is important to you by wearing your life jacket too, even if you're a strong swimmer.
Watch this video about finding a well-fitted life jacket for your child.
3. Don't drink alcohol while boating
Driving a boat under the influence of alcohol is illegal. Alcohol makes it difficult to drive safely, to see objects in the water and to supervise young children so they are safe. Don't take the risk – don't drink alcohol if you're driving a boat.
4. Practice active supervision as the best protection
Assign an adult Water Watcher to supervise kids in or around the lake. A water watcher is only focused on watching the water, and not socializing, texting, fishing, drinking or reading. Touch supervision – or being within one arm's length distance – is essential for young children and children who are not strong swimmers.
5. Only swim in designated swimming areas and don't dive
If you let your children swim in open water, it may be difficult for other boaters to see them. Also, make sure that you and your children don't dive into the lake because it's usually too dark to see just how far down the bottom really is.
6. Throw, don't go
If you see someone struggling in the water, find a flotation device to throw to them. Never jump in to save someone because you could be pulled under, too.
Learn more
Learn more summer safety tips from experts at Children's Health about keeping your family safe and making summer smart.
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