Swim Instructor Warns about the Hidden Dangers of Blue Swimsuits
As the summer and swim season approaches, a concerned mother is cautioning fellow parents against purchasing blue swimsuits for their children and why they could be a safety hazard. Nikki Scarnati, a mother of two and swim instructor, recently posted a video to share the reasons behind her recommendation.
In the video, the 32-year-old mother explains that the light blue swimsuit her 2-year-old daughter is wearing is not a typical bathing suit she wears regularly. She clarified that she purchased it on clearance to demonstrate to other parents. The camera then shows Claire treading water in a swimming pool while wearing the swimsuit.
Scarnati points out the difficulty in seeing her daughter underwater, even in calm water and good lighting conditions. She highlights how the swimsuit blends in with the water, making it challenging to spot her daughter. Scarnati emphasizes this is a significant safety concern, especially when multiple children play and splash around in the water. She urges parents not to buy blue swimsuits for their children.
Drowning Statistics in the US
Drowning is a serious concern in the United States, particularly young children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings occurred in the United States annually from 2005 to 2019. Additionally, drowning is the leading cause of injury-related deaths for children between the ages of 1 and 4 and the second leading cause of injury-related deaths for children between the ages of 5 and 14.
According to statistics, for each child who tragically loses their life to drowning, there are an additional five children who require emergency department treatment for nonfatal submersion injuries. These injuries can have serious long-term consequences and may result in disabilities that significantly impact the affected child and their family.
Water Safety Tips for Parents
Safety is crucial for children and adults at the pool, beach, or any other water environment. Here are some safety tips for parents to keep in mind:
- Never leave children unattended: This is the most essential rule for water safety. Children should never be left alone in or around water, even briefly. Make sure to supervise them constantly and stay within arm’s reach of younger children.
- Teach swimming skills: Enrolling children in swimming lessons early can help them learn valuable water skills and improve their confidence in the water. However, even if your child can swim, they should still be supervised.
- Wear life jackets: If your child is not a strong swimmer or participates in water activities such as boating, jet skiing, or kayaking, they should wear a properly fitted life jacket. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines for the recommended weight and size of the life jacket.
- Know CPR: Training in CPR can be a lifesaver in an emergency. Take a CPR course and refresh your knowledge every few years to ensure you know how to respond in an emergency.
- Check the water conditions: Before allowing your child to enter any body of water, check the water conditions. Check for strong currents, waves, and dangerous rip tides. Also, check the water temperature and make sure it’s comfortable for your child.
- Be cautious around pools: To ensure that children are not able to access the pool area without supervision, it is recommended that proper barriers and fencing be installed around the pool. Additionally, remove toys from the pool area when not in use to avoid attracting young children.
- Stay prepared: Have a first aid kit, a charged cell phone, and a reaching or throwing device nearby in an emergency.
Remember that water safety is everyone’s responsibility. By following these tips, parents can help ensure their children stay safe in and around water and prevent drowning accidents.
Watch YouTube Video on Why Blue Swimsuits Could Be a Safety Hazard
The video below discusses why your child’s swimsuit color is essential around environments with bodies of water.
Citrus Heights Personal Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Citrus Heights personal injury lawyer. Dealing with a drowning accident that resulted in injury or loss of a loved one can be an overwhelming and emotional experience. If you are in this challenging situation and believe that someone else’s negligence played a role, we are here to offer our support. Our experienced legal team can provide free, compassionate, and friendly advice. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.
Our law firm has been dedicated to helping those injured in accidents or who have suffered wrongful death since 1982. We have proudly served clients throughout Northern California and have successfully helped them obtain the compensation they deserve. We invite you to review our track record of Verdicts and Settlements to see the results we have achieved for our clients.
Photo by Briana Tozour on Unsplash
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