Actively watch when children are in – or near – the water. In 70% of child drownings, one or both parents were nearby. Avoid distractions like using cell phones or talking with other adults.
You must watch children even with lifeguards on duty.
Adult swimmers should watch out for each other, especially on lakes and rivers.
Wear a life jacket
Weak swimmers or non-swimmers should wear life jackets.
Make sure life jackets are the correct size.
Adults should watch children even when the children are wearing a life jacket.
Water wings or other inflatable devices do not take the place of life jackets.
Borrow life jackets for free at Lake Minnetonka flotation stations
Gray’s Bay, 2831 County Road 101 South, Minnetonka, MN
Spring Park Bay, 4141 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park, MN
North Arm Bay, County Road 51, Mound, MN
Learn water safety
Teach your kids to swim and learn how to swim yourself.
Keep items near pools that can help rescue someone, like a shepherd’s (long) hook. If trying to rescue someone, hand something to them or pull them in with the hook.
Empty kiddie pools right after you use them.
Empty a bathtub right after you use it.
Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), a method to save someone’s life who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped.
The Philips Aquatics Center offers classes only for female participants. These classes are led by female instructors. For more information, email aquatics@minneapolisparks.org.
Lifeguard training
People 15 and older can take a course to become a certified lifeguard and work for Minneapolis parks. They must first pass a swimming skill test before taking the course. To register, visit the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board website.
Swimming lessons outside Minneapolis
Hennepin County offers free or low-cost swimming lessons in partnership with the Youth learn to swim grants. For more information, see Youth Learn to Swim grants.
