As the school summer holidays approach, many parents are rushing to buy new swimwear for their children. However, Plympton Fire Department urges families to prioritize safety over style when selecting swimsuits. A color guide can help adults choose the most visible swimwear, making supervision easier.
Fire Department Safety Warning
A Facebook post from the fire department states: "This is a great safety guide for children swimming in lakes and swimming pools. The color of the bathing suit can make it easier or more difficult to see children while they are swimming. This is a good reminder to always have adult supervision when children are swimming." The post credits Prairie Lakes Healthcare System for the guide.
Color Visibility Guide
The guide shows how different colored swimsuits appear in lakes and pools. Alarmingly, white, blue, green, and gray costumes virtually vanish underwater. Pink and orange are the safest colors for both pools and lakes. Yellow is highly visible in lakes but less so in pools, while purple is more visible in pools than lakes.
Choosing a brightly colored swimsuit could prevent accidents or help rescuers locate a child quickly in an emergency.
Parent Reactions
One parent commented: "I've always gone for neon when it comes to swim shorts for my boys. I also dress them in bright colors for days out too, easier to keep an eye on them. This is very useful info." Another said: "This is an excellent tip! No matter how prepared you think you may be, there is always something new to learn. Thank you." A third added: "Very interesting, had never thought about the color before. Thank you for sharing."
A user shared a personal story: "I hear stories about when I was six or so, with a bunch of kids and adult supervision at the lake. A wave knocked me over and the adult spotted my bright yellow swimsuit and rescued me."
