3 ways to celebrate national water safety month
Safety is a 24/7 concern for pool management services. This May, The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, the National Recreation & Park Association, the American Red Cross and the World Waterpark Association are once again celebrating National Water Safety Month, placing pool managers and lifeguards in the spotlight.
While this is a big deal for those who work in the aquatics industry, pool patrons and other members of the community may not know about the event. It’s up to pool directors to raise awareness for this important occasion. Not only does it show a facility’s commitment to safety, but it’s also a chance for pool management to educate patrons about best practices in and around pools.
Plan fun games
There’s no better way to attract attention than by hosting a community event at your pool. There are many ways that you can celebrate National Water Safety Month, all of which can be exciting. You have an entire month to educate patrons about water safety, so hold more than one community gathering. Unsure of what to host? Here are three ideas to consider.
1. Lifeguard Olympics: The summer Olympics won’t be until 2016, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t draw inspiration from the international event. Don’t limit participants to your facility’s lifeguards. It’s National Water Safety Month and aquatic facilities from all around will be celebrating. Invite lifeguards from other pools to join in the fun and show off their lifesaving skills.
2. Water safety classes: There’s no better time to introduce water safety classes than in May. Find open time slots in your regular pool programs to host these courses. Test it out as a weekend event to gauge community interest. If it proves to be a huge hit, consider keeping it as a regular part of your schedule.
3. Swim lesson events: If swimming classes are already in full swing, give participants a chance to show everybody what they’ve learned. These don’t have to be competitions – it can simply be an exhibition of the kinds of skills that students have gained. Making a big deal out of this will be a point of pride for participants, and spectators who don’t know how to swim will likely want to learn soon afterward.
When May draws to a close, figure out which events were the most successful and host them on a regular basis. This will ensure that water safety is always addressed.
