The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Shares Summer Water Safety Tips

May 19, 2026
Media Contact: Dr. Zelalem Attlee, Zelalem.Attlee@vdh.virginia.gov.

 The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Shares Summer Water Safety Tips
Healthy and Safe Swimming Week is May 18-24

WARRENTON, Va. — As summer time will get prepared to start out, the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District is urging households to make water security a part of day by day. Drowning occurs quick and quietly, and it stays a number one explanation for demise for younger youngsters. But with easy steps, most drownings will be prevented.

“Healthy and Safe Swimming Week is a great reminder that a fun day in the water should also be a safe one said Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Director J. Carr, M.D. “We encourage families to practice water safety, supervise children closely, and take simple precautions to prevent drowning, injuries, and recreational water illnesses throughout the summer season.” 

From 2020 to 2024, 473 Virginians died from drowning, and greater than half of these deaths occurred in pure waters like rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Drownings can occur anyplace and kids are particularly in danger. Last yr, the Virginia Department of Health reported a six-year excessive of 12 pool drownings in youngsters 0 to five years outdated.

Drowning Prevention Tips:

• Make certain children and adults have fundamental swimming and water security expertise.
• Actively supervise youngsters in or close to water. Designate a accountable grownup to be the water watcher and watch the children within the water with out distractions. It’s straightforward to get pulled away by dialog or a fast look at a display screen.
• Never swim alone. Always swim with a buddy. If one thing occurs, having a buddy with you would save your life.
• Use U.S. Coast Guard–authorised life jackets when wanted.
• Know acknowledge and reply to a swimmer in misery and carry out CPR.
• Don’t drink and swim. Alcohol slows your reactions and may make you make dangerous selections. Stay out of the water for those who’ve been ingesting.

Drowning prevention is necessary however swimming may also result in sickness from germs within the water and accidents from slips, falls, or unsafe circumstances.

Swimming Safety Tips

• Avoid getting water in your mouth. Never swallow water from an untreated water supply or a pool.
• Wash fingers regularly, together with after swimming and earlier than making ready and consuming meals.
• Avoid swimming in a pool for those who can’t see the underside. Cloudy water is a critical security hazard.
• Avoid swimming in pure water if the water has a inexperienced movie, foul odor, lifeless or dying fish, or is discolored.
• Avoid diving or leaping in creeks and ponds you don’t know. Hidden rocks and snags can injure you.
• Avoid swimming if you’re ailing, vomiting or have diarrhea.
• Check diapers usually and take rest room breaks each hour.
• Cover cuts or wounds with waterproof bandages. Bacteria, viruses and different organisms can infect wounds inflicting extra critical sickness.
• Avoid swimming in pure waters for 3 days after rain. Runoff can carry germs into the water.
• Never run close to water. The space will be slippery.
• Shower earlier than and after swimming.
• Watch for sturdy currents and riptides on the seashore. Check your native Beach Map for water high quality updates earlier than you go.

Make water security a behavior. Take the secure swimming pledge and assist defend your loved ones and group.

For extra security ideas, please go to swimhealthyva.com.

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