As summer heats up, South Metro Fire Rescue wants to remind residents that water safety is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you're at the pool, lake, or simply enjoying time in the backyard, it only takes a moment for a fun day to turn dangerous. Please take a moment to review these important safety tips and help keep our community safe around water this season.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4. 

It only takes a moment. A child can drown in the time it takes to reply to a text, refill a drink, or apply sunscreen. It is often silent and fast. One second can change your summer. We have to make our children's safety a priority this summer! 

DROWNING IS PREVENTABLE!

1. LEARN TO SWIM: Encourage your kids to take swim classes and make sure you take one yourself! Swim safety starts with learning the basics of floating and safely moving through the water. Formal swim lessons have been proven to decrease the chances of drownings by 88%. 
2. BARRIERS WORK: Secure your pool with appropriate barriers. This can include 4-sided pool gates, water sensors, door alarms, and more.
3. WEAR LIFE JACKETS: Make sure kids and adults wear coast guard approved life jackets in and around natural bodies of water when participating in any recreational water activities (paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, or boating). 
4. DESIGNATE A WATER WATCHER: This adult is tasked with one job - Watch the kids in the water. They cannot be distracted by conversation, drinking, or be on their phone. This adult should be replaced with another responsible individual every 15 minutes so they stay vigilant.

 Download your own Water Watcher Lanyard HERE

Learn more information and additional research on the Red Cross Water Safety Pages or on Safe Kids Worldwide.

Now that you're familiar with pool safety, it's important to remember that open water—like lakes, rivers, and reservoirs—comes with its own unique risks. Unlike the controlled environment of a pool, open water can have strong currents, sudden drop-offs, and limited visibility. South Metro Fire Rescue encourages you to review these open water safety tips to stay prepared and protect yourself and your loved ones this summer. 

 Many water-related deaths and injuries are preventable—and a common factor is the absence of life jackets. Life jackets aren’t just for children or inexperienced swimmers; they’re essential for everyone on or near the water. Even if you don’t plan to get wet, unexpected accidents can happen in an instant. Wearing a life jacket can make all the difference.

Colorado's unpredictable weather also plays a part with strong winds and sudden changing weather conditions that result in many dive team rescues in the south Denver Metro area. Boats are easily capsized on lakes once the wind picks up, and we want our community members to know the weather can often be misleading, with afternoon storms rolling in with little to no warning. 

Anywhere there is water there is risk of drowning. 

• Always swim with a buddy.
• Don’t use alcohol or drugs (including certain prescription meds) before or while swimming, diving or supervising swimmers.
• Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when boating, paddle-boarding, or fishing, even if you don’t intend to enter the water.

Know What to Do in an Emergency

• Alert the lifeguard if one is present.

• Rescue and remove the person from the water (without putting yourself in danger).
• Call 9-1-1 or ask another bystander to call for you.
• If the patient does not have a pulse, begin CPR immediately. If you're unsure how, the 911 dispatcher will guide you through Hands-Only CPR.

Visit our Classes Page to sign up for CPR/First Aid Classes with South Metro's Safety Foundation. 

Read more from the Red Cross

Hear from South Metro's Dive Team

Be Weather Aware: Know Before You Go!

Sign up for Weather Notifications

Pay attention to any alerts or warnings issued by the National Weather Service or other local authorities. Weather conditions can change rapidly throughout the day, and the best way to stay informed is to sign up for the right type of weather notifications.

What type of weather app should I download?

The best weather applications for water activities will have the ability to send push notifications and will include the following: 

• Wind Advisory
• High Wind Watch and Warning
• Severe Thunderstorm Watch and Warning
• Special Weather Statements
• Significant Weather advisory

Visit the National Weather Service Website to read the watch, warning, and advisory definitions. 

To assist you, SMFR has included a link to a weather application whose free services include, but are not limited to, push notifications for wind advisories, high wind warnings, special weather statements, special weather advisories, severe thunderstorm warnings, and tornado warnings. Many other free and paid weather applications may provide these same notifications, and we encourage our communitymembers to research the options available to them.

Storm Shield Severe Weather Alerts

Thank you for taking the time to prioritize safety for yourself, your family, and our community. By staying informed and prepared, you're helping to prevent tragedies and ensure everyone can enjoy the water safely. South Metro Fire Rescue appreciates your continued commitment to keeping summer fun—and safe—for all.

Reach out to the South Metro Community Risk Reduction Team with any questions!