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The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
‘Do not pack' warning over popular kids' swimwear colour this summer – and there's more than one you need to avoid
PARENTS are being warned about a hidden danger lurking in plain sight – the colour of their children's swimwear. So if you're lucky enough to be heading on holiday this summer, then you'll need to listen up and take notes. 1 Parents are being warned about a hidden danger lurking in plain sight – the colour of their children's swimwear Credit: Getty Kids Swimwear Colour As the summer holidays get underway, UK families are getting ready for a much-needed getaway to sunny beaches and waterparks. However, parents planning to take their youngsters for a swim should pay attention to the The consumer watchdog Which? has issued a warning via Instagram, revealing that the shade of a swimsuit can make all the difference in a life or death situation, reports Alive Solutions conducted tests on various colours and patterns in both open waters and swimming pools to assess visibility and Which? alerted its followers with a stern message. Fab News Which? stated: "The colour of your kid's swimsuit could save their life. "If you're buying a swimming costume for your child, you should choose a bright neon block colour." They explained that vibrant neon colours remain highly visible underwater. But pale blues and whites can become almost invisible, making it difficult to spot a child in distress so do not pack them. Most read in Fabulous Visibility Tests The video shows a series of tests evaluating swimwear visibility from different angles. This includes surface level, shore perspective, and from above a shallow depth of two feet. Three new family-friendly summer events that kids will love from Disney hunt to walking tour However, The organisation noted: "While the darker colours could be seen, they could easily be mistaken for shadow or dirt." Alive Solutions' research indicated that solid colours are more visible than patterns, with neon shades being the most detectable. Tips to Keep Children Safe in Water IF you are going on holiday this year and want to keep your kids safe when in water, here are some important things to note. Constant Supervision : Always keep a close watch on children when they are in or near water. Avoid distractions like phones or books. Learn CPR : Take a CPR course to be prepared for emergencies. Ensure that any caregivers or babysitters also know CPR. Swim Lessons : Enroll children in age-appropriate swim lessons. Encourage them to practice regularly to build confidence and skills. Use Life Jackets : Ensure children wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when boating or near open bodies of water. Do not rely solely on inflatable toys or floaties for safety. Establish Water Rules : Set and enforce rules such as no running near the pool, no diving in shallow water, and swimming only with adult supervision. Secure Pools : Install barriers around pools, such as fences with self-latching gates. Use pool covers and alarms to provide additional layers of security. Educate About Water Hazards : Teach children about the dangers of drains and suction outlets in pools and hot tubs. Explain the risks of natural water bodies like currents, tides, and underwater obstacles. Stay Hydrated and Sun-Protected : Ensure children drink plenty of water and take breaks to avoid dehydration. Apply waterproof sunscreen to protect their skin from harmful UV rays. Buddy System : Encourage the buddy system where children swim in pairs or groups, ensuring they look out for each other. Check Water Depth and Conditions : Verify the depth of the water and check for any hazards before allowing children to enter. Be aware of weather conditions and avoid swimming during storms or strong currents. By following these tips, you can significantly enhance the safety of children in and around water, ensuring they have a fun and secure experience. The study also found that small patterns don't significantly affect Conversely, large dark patterns were shown to greatly diminish how noticeable swimwear is. For example, a plain neon orange swimsuit is more visible against a dark pool bottom compared to one with large navy stripes. Other Fab Parenting News Taking your family away on holiday can be expensive - but one savvy Charlene Woracker, who has four children, revealed how she found a dream A Celebrity Big Brother star and internet personality has revealed the birth of her third child. YouTube and podcast star But people cry her And a mum has hit back after being
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man's body found in Lake Isabella day after he went missing
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The body of a man who went missing after he went swimming in Lake Isabella was recovered Sunday, according to sheriff's officials. The man's name will be released by coroner's officials. At about 6:20 p.m. on Saturday, deputies were sent to the Old Isabella Road Recreation Site to a report of a possible drowning. They learned a man who went swimming without a flotation device couldn't be found. Search and rescue teams searched for several hours but couldn't find him and had to suspend operations at nightfall, according to sheriff's officials. They resumed searching on Sunday with the sheriff's dive team and found the man's body, officials said. The sheriff's office issued a reminder that 'wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation device is a critical safety measure during recreation in or near water, especially in areas with strong currents or unpredictable conditions such as Lake Isabella. Life jackets save lives — please wear one.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Officials Urge Water Safety Ahead of Summer Season
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) — May is recognized as National Water Safety Month and as summer approaches and temperatures rise, many Central Texans will be looking for ways to cool off — and taking a swim is often the go-to solution. However, experts warn that it's crucial to stay safe and be prepared before heading into the water. Chris Bradford is the associate executive director of the YMCA in Waco. He says drownings happen more often than people may realize. 'The leading cause of accidental death in children between the ages of one and four is drowning,' Bradford said. 'Children are more likely to drown than they are to be in a motor vehicle accident. So if your child cannot learn to swim, the best thing that you can do is put them in swim lessons or make sure that they are in that U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.' This same advice applies to area lakes, including Lake Waco. 'Life jackets only work if you use them, so we highly recommend that you're wearing them when you're out on the water,' said Arianna Jacinto, Lake Waco's lead park ranger. 'We have designated swim beaches here around our lake. We have Twin Bridges and we have Airport Park, and both of them are delineated with swim buoys to help keep boats out, and we also have life jacket loaner stations.' Jacinto said the life jacket loaner stations are free to use, and are available for anyone on the water. Visitors are encouraged to return the jackets after use so others can stay safe, too. Whether you're swimming at home this summer, at a public pool or out on the lake, the message remains the same — stay aware, be prepared, and always prioritize safety, no matter your age. 'You are more likely that your child does not learn to swim if you yourself cannot swim. Fear is transferable to our children. So if you have a fear of the water, your children will have a fear of the water,' Bradford said. Experts agree that enrolling in swim lessons is one of the best investments a family can make to prepare for summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Experts stress safety for the start of boating season
May 23—With Memorial Day weekend almost here and the start of summer just around the corner, local experts are stressing the importance of boating safety. According to U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating statistics, the period from May through September accounts for most boating accidents. The majority of these accidents are caused by operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed, alcohol use and navigation rules violations. From the 2023 statistics, 10.77% of boating accidents were due to inexperience. "Every year we get a lot of new owners who have never owned a boat, and usually those are the ones that are the most dangerous," said Riverwalk Marina owner Steve Conner. "They just haven't gone through the courses or done anything to know what they're doing. A boat is so much different than driving a car." Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Officer Chad Dyer recommends novice boaters choose a less busy time than Memorial Day weekend to take to the waters for the first time. "It's easier to learn when there is less traffic on the waterway," Dyer said. "It's less stressful for you and safer to learn." Many of the accidents that Conner has seen or heard about happen when a boat driver comes to pick someone up. To avoid dangers, he recommends drivers wear a legally required kill switch cord, which will turn the motor off if they're thrown from the boat. A motorized vessel license is required to operate a motorboat in Alabama. Additionally, any child under the age of 8 is required to always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. "The biggest thing that I can stress to people is wear a life jacket," said Danny Kelso, chief of the Morgan County Rescue Squad. "No matter if you're a good swimmer or not, sober, or young, it doesn't matter; wear a life jacket because you can't drown with a life jacket." When people come through Riverwalk Marina to set out on the water, Conner offers them these words of advice: "Make sure all your equipment is on board. Make sure you have enough life jackets. Make sure your lighting on your boat is working." Kelso also recommends boaters ensure they have enough fuel and a fully charged battery. He said people don't think about it and kill their batteries by playing the radio when the boat isn't running. If they do find themselves without fuel or power this Memorial Day weekend, the Rescue Squad will be available to tow them back to safety when they call 911. The National Safe Boating Council also offers safety tips, which in addition to Conner's recommendations, include sharing your "float plan" with a friend or family member not on the water, monitoring the weather before departing and keeping a functional communication device on hand in case of an emergency. Conner said there are a lot of common sense safety precautions during Memorial Day weekend that people frequently overlook. He remembers a time a group had a grill on board that they forgot to secure. It got knocked over in the boat and spilled hot charcoal. Conner also said passengers should avoid drinking too much, and the driver shouldn't drink at all. Alcohol consumption is another leading cause of boating accidents. "If people are going to drink on the boat, have a sober, licensed boat driver that has a vessel license," Kelso said. Blood alcohol content for a boat driver must be below 0.08%, the same as for the driver of a car. According to Coast Guard statistics, in 2023, alcohol use was the top contributing factor in accidents resulting in a fatality when the cause of the accident is known. Conner said boat drivers have a big responsibility because they're in charge of making sure everyone else is safe. — or 256-340-2437. Bernie Delinski contributed to this report.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Waco YMCA Prepares for Summer Crowds as Temperatures Rise
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) — As Central Texas temperatures climb, the Greater Waco YMCA is preparing for an influx of visitors looking to beat the summer heat. With swimming pools among the most popular ways to cool off, the YMCA says it's taking extra steps to accommodate large crowds safely. 'We're trying to make sure that we have the capacity to take as many people as we can,' said Chris Bradford, Associate Executive Director of the Waco YMCA. 'We do have guards on all of our pools, and we keep a ratio that we have to maintain.' While the water offers relief from the heat, YMCA officials are reminding visitors to take safety seriously, especially first-timers. 'Acquaint yourself with the rules,' Bradford said. 'Most of the time, nine times out of ten, drowning happens to a first-time visitor of a swimming pool or facility. Make sure you know where you can and can't go.' Bradford also recommends the U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for those who cannot swim. Lifeguards like Noah Johnson say they are also stepping up efforts ahead of the busy season. 'We are a team, so we help each other out. We're always communicating with walkies and we always have eyes on the water,' Johnson said. 'Then based on the amount of people, we have more lifeguards in the water, and that does alleviate a lot of the stress.' Johnson admits the job can be stressful, but said staying calm is essential. 'Fear is transferable,' he said. 'If I'm panicking and having a hard time, I think that's going to make it a lot worse. So even though I am kind of a little stressed out, I do try to keep my composure.' With summer just around the corner, YMCA officials claim they are ready to keep swimmers safe and cool. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
