Water Safety

What would summer be, without fun in and around the water? Swimming, boating, fishing … they are an integral part of our lives in midcoast Maine.

Keeping your family safe in and around the water is a lifelong process, beginning with teaching kids to respect water - and teaching them to swim!

Water safety begins very early in life, with bath safety in babies (checking water is not too hot, and making sure they are firmly held and supervised in their first bath experiences). Young children tend to love water and have very little fear of it, making one adult to one child supervision a necessity for toddlers and most preschoolers. Company - if not supervision - is a great idea at any age. Even older kids can over-reach their abilities at times and groups of kids should have at least one dedicated adult supervising. When kids get into trouble swimming, it is often a surprisingly silent process - takes full adult attention to notice&intervene. All kids and teens should be taught (however strongly they swim) never to swim alone. It’s a good idea to talk about what to do, if there is an unexpected emergency in the water. 

Boating is another staple of our summer fun, whether salt-water or fresh. Kids should have appropriately-sized Coast-Guard approved life jackets and be in the habit of wearing them while boating. 

Sunscreen and hats, plenty of hydration …these are the little things that make it possible to enjoy those long summer days in comfort. We are so lucky to live in such a gorgeous place, and our summers are something to celebrate!