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Water Safety Tips 

1) Supervision is Key: Never leave children unsupervised near any water source, whether it’s a swimming pool, bath, or even a bucket of water. Drowning can happen in just a few centimetres of water. 

2) Teach Water Awareness: Help your child understand the dangers of water. Explain that water can be fun, but it can also be dangerous if not approached with caution. Before you leave your child under the care of someone else, always check for potential dangers to your child in the environment. Remember the dangers of an unattended bucket of water!

3) Swimming Skills: If possible, enroll your child in swimming lessons. Learning basic swimming skills is the best gift ever because it is lifesaving! 

4) Pool Safety: If you have a pool at home, make sure it is properly fenced with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Always keep a pool cover on when not in use.  Always supervise when children are swimming. Drownings occur even at birthday parties with lots of children in the pool.

5) Water Toys and Flotation Devices: ALWAYS wear a life jacket when traveling/sailing on a boat.  Make sure your child/children also wear the correct size life jacket when on a boat.  Use flotation devices like arm bands for swimming, but remember they are not a substitute for supervision. Make sure all water toys are safe and age-appropriate. 

6) Weather Awareness: Be mindful of weather conditions. Avoid swimming during storms, when there is thunder and lightning in the air or when the water is too cold. 

Health Tips Related to Water

1) Hydration: Ensure your child drinks plenty of water throughout the day, especially in hot weather or after physical activity. Dehydration can happen quickly in children especially when they are ill and have a runny tummy or vomiting.  Never hesitate to take your child or baby to the hospital if they are losing fluids;  in many cases an IV drip is the only solution.

2) Water Hygiene: Teach your child not to drink or swallow water from pools, rivers, or lakes. These sources may contain harmful bacteria or chemicals which may lead to illness or death.

3) Bath Time Safety: Never leave your child unattended during bath time. Keep the water temperature at a safe level to prevent burns. Use a non-slip mat in your bath-tub to prevent your little one from slipping in the bath.  

4) Sun Protection: If your child will be spending time near water outdoors, apply sunscreen with a high SPF and make sure they wear a hat and protective clothing to prevent sunburn. 

Additional Tips

1) Water Conservation: Discuss with your child the importance of conserving water. Simple actions like turning off the tap while brushing teeth or taking shorter showers can make a big difference. 

2) Environmental Awareness: Teach your child about the importance of keeping our water sources clean. Encourage them to pick up litter and not to pollute rivers, lakes, or oceans.

3) Fun with Water at Home: You can create safe and fun water activities at home, such as water painting, playing with water tables, or simple science experiments like floating and sinking objects.

We hope these tips will help you keep your child safe, healthy, and happy as we explore the wonderful world of water together.