Have Fun and Be Safe Around Water All Year Long

7/30/2025

TUCSON, AZ – We still have lots of summer left here in Pima County – a wonderful time to enjoy swimming, diving, sailing, and waterskiing. However, it’s important to never become complacent about safety in, on, or near water.

In Arizona, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children between the ages of one and four.

“There are a lot of places that kids will encounter water,” says Northwest Healthcare pediatrician Jonny Neilson, M.D., “and in Tucson, it’s typically so hot that we’re all looking for water and ways to get out of the heat – so I really want people to keep water safety in mind.”

“When swimming with a group, it’s vital to be aware of the location and swimming skill level of everyone with you,” he adds. “Ideally, have a ‘water watcher’ – someone who isn’t distracted by devices or conversation, and who isn’t drinking alcohol. Your watcher should actively scan the group and keep a count of everyone in the body of water. When you leave, do one more count and scan the entire area itself.”

A few poolside safety tips:

• No matter how well you can swim, never swim alone.
• If you have your own pool, secure it with a fence – at least four feet tall, non-climbable, and with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Lock all gates each time someone enters or exits. Never prop a gate open.
• Don’t leave toys in sight around the pool area.
• Feet first: Teach children not to run near the pool, push a friend into the water, or dive (unless the area is clearly marked for diving and has no underwater obstacles).
• Teach children that, if someone does break the “no-pushing” rule, that yelling for help is OK – but not to struggle, thrash, or fight. This can cause more injury than entering the water calmly.
• Make sure drains are safe and not creating too much suction.

Tips for open water, including lakes and oceans:

• Keep your eyes on children at all times (small children should be within an arm’s reach).
• Remember that water depth, temperature, and tides can change very quickly.
• Never swim in fast moving water, such as a canal or any of our local “washes.”
• Do not dive.

Tips for all bodies of water:

• Learn how to perform CPR on infants, children and adults.
• Teach all kids to swim at an appropriate age.
• If you don’t know how to swim, or have a fear of swimming, sign up for one of the many free or low-cost class options in our area.
• Water and alcohol (or other drugs) don’t mix. Be completely sober when in or around water – including hot tubs and bathtubs.
• If you become distracted for any reason, take your group and leave the water and its surrounding area.

Have fun, and please be safe – not just during the summer, but all year long.

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