Water Safety Campaign Will Make You Put Your Phone Down

Summer will soon be upon us, and with warmer weather and kids finishing up school, many of us are heading to the pool or beach. With that in mind, and May being National Water Safety Month, the YMCA of the USA has launched a new campaign around water safety—and it’s targeted at parents. 

The message is simple: “Phones Down, Eyes Up.” It serves as such a vital reminder (and not just around water safety either).

What ‘Phones Down, Eyes Up’ Is All About

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) notes 50% of children drown within 25 yards of a parent or other adult, with distraction being a key factor.

One of the main reasons we take our eyes off kiddos in and around the water? Our phones. “If that distraction happens around the water, it can have serious, even fatal consequences,” says Lindsay Mondick, the director of aquatics strategy and quality practices for YMCA.

The “Phones Down, Eyes Up” campaign, which also includes a pledge, urges parents and caregivers to put devices down and away while supervising kids in and around the water. 

Furthermore, the campaign endorses designating an adult as a “water watcher,” with eyes on kids in and around water, completely distraction-free. That means no alcohol, no chatting, and no phones.

Parents may think they can quickly respond to a text, create a shopping list, or look at a social post while supervising kids in water. But Mondick emphasizes that they shouldn’t. “Drowning is silent and can happen in as little as 30 seconds,” she says. “Drowning isn’t like it is in the movies.”

That means it’s unlikely you will hear someone struggling in the water, Mondick says.

“It’s crucial to actively watch the water,” she adds. “When our phone is in front of us, we’re not seeing what’s going on around us.”

This is also true of many activities that require parental supervision. “This message is a great reminder for all aspects of life, not just around water,” Mondick affirms. “It’s all about leading by example and fostering a more present and engaged environment.”

Other Important Water Safety Reminders

Beyond putting down your phone and actively supervising kids, Mondick says other protective measures around water not to forget include:

• Proper barriers. “Barriers like fences and alarms are necessary to help prevent drowning, especially in young children, and may be required by law in some states,” Mondick says.
• Water competency. Mondick recommends swim lessons for kids as young as 6 months of age, as well as water safety courses, which teach little ones what to do if they unexpectedly find themselves in water.
• Wearing life jackets. “The YMCA of the USA recommends non-swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets that are designed to keep a person’s head above water if they go unconscious,” says Mondick. Swimmies or arm floaties give parents a false sense of security, and are not enough to prevent drowning, she further cautions, calling these “toys” and not a safety device.
• Emergency preparation and planning. Mondick urges all parents and caregivers to take First Aid and CPR courses so they are prepared for an emergency.

“Teach children to ask permission before entering or nearing the water,” Mondick further advises parents. “This helps prevent them from going into the water on their own. Caregivers can reinforce this at home, every time children get in the bathtub.”

Another crucial reminder about water safety is that even children who know how to swim can drown. “Not letting your guard down around older kids is a major piece of water safety that often gets overlooked,” Mondick shares. Accidents can still happen—especially in large groups because others assume someone else is watching. 

Consider too that teens often take risks and ignore safety rules due to peer pressure, so keeping an eye on them in the water is still important. 

Ultimately, Mondick wants families to have fun this summer, but with safety top of mind—and with their phones down, eyes up.