3 Important Safety Rules To Follow When Swimming This Summer

When the weather starts warming up, more and more people tend to take to the water to cool off. And while most people know that it’s safest to swim with other people present and to watch children very intently when they are in and around water, there are other things about being in the water that could potentially cause harm or danger to you.

To help ensure that you’re able to stay safe and healthy all summer long, here are three important safety rules to follow when swimming this summer. 

Be Smart About Holding Your Breath

When people get tired of swimming in the water, it’s very common for them to start playing other games in the water. One game that people might be very familiar with is seeing how long you can hold your breath under water or who can hold their breath the longest. 

Sadly, this can be a very dangerous game for anyone to play. Not only could people wind up passing out from a lack of oxygen when trying to hold their breath under the water, but people could also hyperventilate when coming back up from the water after holding their breath for too long. So while you might be curious about how long you can hold your breath or who in your group can hold their breath for the longest, it’s safest not to play these kinds of games, as they can turn deadly. 

Protect Your Eyes

Swimming in the water can be a lot more fun when you can easily see where you’re going. But if you don’t have goggles to protect your eyes, it’s best not to open your eyes under the water.

If you’re swimming in a pool, the chlorine in the water can easily irritate your eyes and cause your eyes to become red, scratchy, or start tearing. And if you’re swimming in fresh water, there are likely all kinds of bacteria and other germs or organisms that can infect your eyes. While these types of infections will usually clear up with antibiotics, it’s best not to get infections or irritations in your eyes in the first place. 

Don’t Swim During Summer Storms

For some people, one of their favorite things about summer is watching summer storms. But if you’re going to be swimming or playing in water, summer storms shouldn’t mix with these kinds of activities. 

Because water is a very good conductor of electricity, being in or around water increases your chances of being hit by lightning during a summer storm. So as soon as you see lightning or hear thunder, it’s best to get out of the water until the storm has passed. 

If you’re planning to spend time swimming this summer, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you stay safe while keeping cool.