Stores and magazines are reminding us that summer is right around the corner with colorful new swimsuits. Even the weather is hinting at Spring! There are so many cute patterns, fun colors, and fashionable styles. How do you select swimwear for your kids? Is “safest swimsuits” on your list of criteria?
How Can a Swimsuit Be a Safety Issue?
Especially for young children, supervision around water is crucial for safety. The better you can see your child, the easier it is to know immediately if something is wrong. If a child falls into a body of water, or is struggling while swimming, precious minutes should not be wasted trying to see or locate the child. Wearing a bright or easily visible bathing suit helps to make children noticeable, even below the water’s surface.
Swimsuit Safety Considerations
Some colors are difficult to see while submerged, and some stand out well in one type of water, but are harder to see in a different setting. Alive Solutions, Inc. reports color and pattern safety testing data on their Aquatic Safety Blog. The blog covers the results for different color swimsuits on the surface and under 18″ of water to see which colors are the most visible. The results show that neon colors are the easiest to see and likely the safest swimsuits. Small patterns did not impact visibility by much, but large or dark patterns did make it more difficult to see. Check out the blog for images of the testing.
Bright colors like hot pink, orange, yellow are easier to see than dark or neutral colors like blue, white and black that can blend into water environments. While many people love dark clothing for its supposed flattering qualities, the number one criteria for swimwear should be safety.
Other Swim Safety Considerations
Swimwear is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to a fun day at the beach or pool. There are many steps you can take for a safe and enjoyable water day:
- Only swim in conditions that you can handle. Be aware of strong currents, riptides, and deep water.
- Wear sunscreen. No one wants a lobster red burn today, or potential skin cancer down the road.
- Life vests and flotation devices are a must when boating.
- Never dive into shallow water, or murky water where you cannot see obstructions.
- Always supervise children around water. This means putting down the phone and actively keeping an eye on them. Drowning can occur within seconds and often there is no yelling, no splashing, no sign of distress. Learn more about how to prevent accidental drowning from the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. Teach your children not to swim alone, always to ask permission before entering a body of water, and to know their limits.
- Shark attacks are actually fairly rare, despite what the movies might have you believe, but there may be other things in the water to worry about. If you are swimming in a natural body of water, consider jelly fish, algae blooms or underwater obstacles.
- Fences and gates are important for pool safety, but are no substitute for supervision.
- People often mix alcohol and water sports, but this can be a dangerous combination.
- Use the safest swimsuits you can find.
Who to Call if you Need a Lawyer
If you were injured on someone else’s property and are looking for a free consultation with an experienced attorney, contact our premises liability attorneys. We handle slip and fall injuries and all types of premises liability claims. We have over 50 years of combined experience in personal injury settlements and litigation. Our firm has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau. We make house and hospital visits if needed. Central Pennsylvania: 717-933-3333 or our principal Valley Forge Office: 610-933-3333.
