Winter Water Safety: Essential Tips for Keeping Your Children Safer

As we gear up for fall and the temperatures drop in winter, it's crucial to remember that water safety should remain a top priority year-round. Most of us associate swimming and water safety with spring break and summer, but statistics show that drowning incidents are a significant concern during the colder months as well. 

Here’s what you need to know to keep your family safer this winter.

1. Keep Up with Swim Lessons Year-Round

Many families see swimming as a seasonal activity, but taking a break from lessons during winter can result in skill loss and reduced water confidence. Year-round swim lessons not only help maintain swimming skills but also teach children important water safety techniques that are useful in any season. Many might assume that drowning incidents only occur during the summer, but the reality is that water-related accidents can happen any time of the year and often do. In Texas, an average 21% of fatal drownings occur between October and February, highlighting that winter does not eliminate the risk. Pools, hot tubs, buckets, bathtubs, water features, and cold, open bodies of water can be dangerous if proper precautions aren’t taken.

Swimming indoors during the winter keeps kids active, boosts their physical health, and ensures they are always prepared for unexpected water situations, such as falling into icy waters or encountering an unsupervised body of water.

Formal swim lessons reduce the risk of childhood drowning by 88%.

Tip: If your child isn’t enrolled in swim lessons, winter is a great time to start. At Emler Swim School we have indoor, heated pools that provide a comfortable environment for children to learn and improve.

2. Be Cautious When Visiting Homes During the Holidays and Supervise with Your Eyes When Outside 

During the winter, it’s easy to assume that children will steer clear of water. However, bodies of water like lakes, rivers, or even backyard ponds can still pose risks, especially if they freeze over. Kids may be tempted to walk or skate on ice, not realizing how thin it might be.

Always supervise your children around any water or ice, especially during outdoor activities. Ensure they understand the dangers of walking on ice and what to do if they fall through.

The holiday season often involves visiting friends and family, which can mean spending time in unfamiliar environments. When you visit someone’s home, take a moment to inspect the premises for potential water hazards such as pools, hot tubs, or even decorative fountains. Ensure these areas are secure, and establish a plan to keep your children away from them. The unexpected nature of holiday visits can sometimes mean encountering hidden risks.

Tip: Always check bodies of water first if a child goes missing. Ensure areas near water are secure when visiting friends and family and establish a plan to keep your children away from them. 

3. Be Cautious Around Frozen or Icy Pools

If you have an outdoor pool, make sure it is securely covered when not in use during the winter. Children may not realize the dangers of frozen or partially frozen pools, and could accidentally fall in. A strong, safety-rated pool cover can help prevent accidents and ensure your pool remains off-limits when unsupervised.

Tip: Regularly check the cover for damage or gaps, and keep the pool area gated to prevent unsupervised access. Teach your children to stay away from frozen bodies of water unless you are certain they are thick enough and safe to walk on.

4.  Stay Alert During Winter Weather and Remember Bathtub Safety

During severe weather events or when facing utility issues, it’s not uncommon to fill bathtubs with water as a precaution. However, this practice can pose a significant risk if not managed carefully. Ensure that bathroom doors are kept locked to prevent young children from accidentally slipping in and drowning. Remember it only takes 2 inches of water for a baby or young child to drown.

Tip: Keep the bathroom door locked if you fill your tub with water. 

5. Know CPR 

If the unthinkable happens, knowing CPR utilizes those precious minutes while waiting for first responders. CPR can often mean the difference between a fatal and non-fatal drowning. 

Tip: Arm yourself with the ability to provide CPR, the crucial life-saving response. 

6. Emphasize Water Safety at Winter Vacation Destinations

Winter vacations often include trips to indoor water parks, hotels with pools, or warmer destinations with open beaches. Always emphasize the same water safety rules you would during the summer: never swim alone, stay within designated swim areas, and always be aware if a lifeguard is present.

For families heading to warmer climates, it’s important to stay vigilant about water safety, especially when visiting unfamiliar locations. Supervise with your eyes.

Tip: Always be sure to bring U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets to ensure the whole family stays safe while enjoying the water.

7. Be Prepared for Ice and Cold-Water Accidents

It’s always better to be prepared for the unexpected. Have a plan in place if an ice or cold-water emergency occurs. Keep extra blankets and warm clothing in your car or nearby when engaging in winter activities around frozen lakes or rivers.

Ensure you are familiar with cold-water rescue techniques, such as how to pull someone out of the water safely without endangering yourself, and know the signs of hypothermia.

Tip: Consider taking a basic first aid or water rescue course to better prepare for emergencies involving children and cold water.

Water Safety Is Year-Round

Winter water safety is often an afterthought, but it’s just as important as summer water safety, especially with the added risks of cold water and ice. Keeping your children safe around water requires year-round vigilance and consistent reinforcement of safety habits.

Drowning is preventable and water safety is a year round concern. 

By continuing swim lessons, supervising children near bodies of water, and teaching them cold-water safety, you’ll be helping your kids stay safe, confident, and ready for anything—no matter the season.

Remember: Safety around water is a skill for life, and winter is a great time to keep those skills sharp with swim lessons here at Emler Swim School!

Key Statistics:

*Drowning is the #1 cause of unintentional death in children aged 1-4 in the U.S. (CDC, May 2024). CDC Report

*21% of Texas fatal drownings occurred between October and February from 2017-2020. (Source: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics)

*Formal swim lessons reduce the risk of childhood drowning by 88%. (National Institute of Health) NIH Study