09/06/2026
Holidays are so much fun! Boating, fishing, camping, relaxing by the pool, and swimming in the ocean are some of the best ways to spend time with family and friends.
But holiday weekends are also an important time to remember and practice **life-saving water safety skills.**
Whether you're on the boat, at the beach, or hanging out by the pool, remember:
→ **Wear a life jacket.** Children and inexperienced swimmers should wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when boating and around open water.
→ **Keep your eyes on your children.** Drowning can happen quickly and quietly. When children are in or around water, active adult supervision is critical.
→ **Know before you go.** When swimming in the ocean, understand rip currents and pay attention to beach conditions, warning flags, and lifeguard instructions.
→ **Always swim with a buddy.** Children and adults should avoid swimming alone, especially in open water.
→ **Keep practicing swimming and water-safety skills.** Knowing how to float, tread water, safely enter and exit the water, and respond in an emergency can save a life.
**Why does water safety matter so much?**
• For children ages **1–4**, drowning is the **leading cause of death**.
• For children ages **5–14**, drowning is the **second leading cause of unintentional injury death**.
• Across the United States, **more than 4,000 people die from unintentional drowning each year**.
Swimming is fun. Boating is fun. The beach is fun. But water deserves our respect.
This holiday weekend, have fun, make memories, and make **WATER SAFETY** part of every adventure.
**LowCountry Swim School**
Teaching life-saving swim and water-safety skills for every age and ability.
