With the sun shining and the temps climbing, our backyard pool has officially become the neighborhood hotspot. Whether you’re hosting pool parties or just enjoying a quiet float, I wanted to share a few quick reminders to help keep everyone safe while having fun.
Did you know drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 4? It’s a sobering fact, but one that reminds us just how important constant supervision is—even when kids are wearing floaties or swimming in shallow water. (In my area, we’ve already had two drownings this summer.)
As someone who lost two close friends—actual brothers—to drowning, ten years apart, I can’t stress this enough:
Please, never swim alone.
The CDC has a great resource with additional tips for healthy and safe swimming—you can read it here. I pulled a few key takeaways below, plus some rules we follow at home:
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🛟 Always designate a “Water Watcher.”
This person should avoid distractions (like phones!) and keep eyes on the pool at all times. -
🏊♂️ Teach kids to swim early.
Formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88% for kids ages 1–4. -
📞 Keep rescue gear nearby.
A life ring, reaching pole, and a phone for emergencies should always be within arm’s reach. -
🚧 Install barriers.
A four-sided fence with a self-latching gate can reduce a child’s risk of drowning by 83%.
We’ve also made it a habit to review pool rules with guests—no running, no diving in shallow areas, and always swim with a buddy.
Let’s make this summer safe, splashy, and full of great memories.
If you have any pool safety tips or stories, I’d love to hear them—just reply or drop me a note.
Stay cool,
Jean Mabry & Your OneDigital Team
p.s. Remember, we have a 24/7/365 insurance emergency hotline where you can reach one of our team members who is on call – (888) 779-2800.
We hope this information helps you to make more strategic insurance decisions. We’d love to hear from you – please reach out! We are here to help.
