May is officially here! We just survived the “May the 4th” lightsaber battles, Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and we are all eagerly counting down the days until Memorial Day weekend.

But in our world at The Swim Advantage, May means one very important thing: National Water Safety Month.

Before the chaos of summer pool parties, lake trips, and water park visits officially begins, we need to have a real talk about water safety. We want this to be your family’s most fun summer ever, and the best way to guarantee that is by heading to the water with total confidence.

Here are the five essential water safety rules every parent needs to know before hitting the pool.

1. Designate a “Water Watcher”

Backyard pool parties are notorious for a psychological phenomenon called the “diffusion of responsibility.” When ten adults are standing around the deck chatting, everyone subconsciously assumes someone else is watching the kids. That is exactly how accidents happen in crowded pools.

The solution is the designated “Water Watcher.”

• The Prop: Hand the designated adult a physical item—a lanyard, a silly hat, or a bright pair of sunglasses.
• The Shift: They are on duty for exactly 15 minutes.
• The Rules: During those 15 minutes, their only job is watching the water. No checking their phone, no flipping burgers, and no debating whether a hot dog is a sandwich. When their 15 minutes are up, they pass the prop to the next adult.

2. Ditch the Inflatable Water Wings

It’s time to settle the great debate: inflatable floaties versus life jackets. Those little blow-up armbands might look cute, but they are incredibly dangerous. They can easily pop, deflate, or slide right off a child’s arms when they jump in. Even worse, they teach kids a vertical posture in the water, which is actually a drowning position.

If a child cannot swim independently, they need a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved life jacket. Period.

3. Enforce the Buddy System

It is a classic for a reason! The buddy system is one of the simplest and most effective ways to maintain safety in the water. No one should ever swim entirely alone. This rule applies to everyone, from toddlers splashing in the shallow end to adults swimming laps. Having a buddy ensures that if someone gets tired, cramps up, or needs help, there is immediately someone there to assist or call for a lifeguard.

4. Double-Check Barrier Basics

If you have a pool in your backyard, or if your kids are visiting a friend who does, physical barriers are a non-negotiable layer of protection. Pool fences should be at least four feet high and completely surround the pool on all four sides. Double-check that all gates are self-closing and self-latching, and ensure the latches are completely out of reach of young children.

5. Build the Ultimate Superpower: Swim Lessons

Fences can be left propped open, and life jackets can be taken off, but knowing how to swim is a layer of protection that goes with your child everywhere. It is the ultimate superpower.

At The Swim Advantage, building this superpower is exactly what we do. Through our American Red Cross-sanctioned curriculum, we focus on survival skills and water independence from day one. By keeping our class sizes strictly small, our certified instructors ensure your child gets the personalized attention they need to progress safely and quickly.

And remember, it is never too late! Whether you are signing up a preschooler or looking for adult lessons, water safety is for everyone.

Let’s Make This a Safe Summer

Summer should be about making incredible memories, enjoying the sunshine, and having a blast in the water without fear.

If you are ready to get your family water-ready before the summer rush, we are here to help. Head over to our website to check out the schedule for our Orland Park location and our brand-new Joliet location inside The Flex. Lock in your spot today, and we will see you on the pool deck!