21 January 2023 , 12:48
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A mum has shared a 'vital' water safety tip every parent should learn about, as it could make all the difference during an emergency.
While parents will already know the importance of taking care around water and supervising children, they may not know all the ways they can help to prepare their little ones.
Of course, it is brilliant to teach your kids how to swim and feel comfortable in the water, if you're able to do so. But there's another important tip that can benefit all children, whether they've yet to start lessons or swim like a fish, and it's all to do with their swimming costume.
The tip is beneficial for all children regardless of their swimming ability (stock photo) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)As one parent pointed out in a tip-exchange forum on Mumsnet, you should think carefully about the colour you dress your child in when heading to the pool.
Bright-coloured swimming costumes are usually preferable, "so you and the lifeguards can see them quickly and clearly if they are underwater for any length of time."
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The safety advice is also recommended by Swim England, the national governing body for swimming. As the experts explain, adult supervision is key, but the colour of your child's swimwear could also help to prevent drowning.
"If the worst does happen, being able to quickly find a child in the water could save vital seconds and make the difference between a fatal and non-fatal incident," says Swim England's website.
The experts add that parents can see the difference colour makes for themselves next time they visit a pool, where it is often harder to spot children than you might imagine.
"Pay particular attention to what happens when they are swimming along, and even when they dive to the bottom to reach for a sinker. The child almost vanishes before your eyes!"
Thankfully, there's a range of colours proven to make a difference. When making your selection bright, neon, contrasting colours are a good bet, with neon orange, green, pink and yellow being the easiest to spot.
More safety advice is available on Swim England's Water Safety Hub, linked here.