Water Safety: Protecting Our Families This Summer
This past week has been heartbreaking as there was a tragic loss of a child at Boerne Lake and we approach the one-year anniversary of the devastating Hill Country floods, our hearts are with every family carrying unimaginable grief.
While we can't control every circumstance, we can take simple steps that help keep our children safer around water. Summer in the Hill Country means pool days, river trips, lake adventures, and creek exploring—and a little preparation can make a big difference.
Designate a Water Watcher
One of our favorite ideas comes from our friends at Vista Swim.
Whenever your family is around water, assign one adult to be the official Water Watcher. Their only job is watching the children.
That means:
No phone
No scrolling
No reading
No conversations that take their attention away
No alcohol
When it's time for a break, intentionally hand off Water Watcher duty to another adult. Never assume "someone else is watching."
Vista Swim even recommends making it fun by giving the Water Watcher a bright hat, whistle, funny shirt, or lanyard so everyone knows exactly who is on duty.
Drowning Is Often Silent
Many people picture drowning as loud splashing and calls for help, but the reality is often very different.
Drowning can happen quietly and in less than a minute. A child may simply slip beneath the surface without making a sound.
That's why active, undistracted supervision is one of the most effective ways to prevent drowning.
Use Layers of Protection
No single safety measure is enough. Water safety works best when several layers are in place.
Those layers include:
Active adult supervision
Swimming lessons
Coast Guard-approved life jackets
Pool fencing with self-latching gates
CPR training
Clear family water safety rules
Each layer helps reduce risk if another layer fails.
Stay Within Arm's Reach
If your child is a young or inexperienced swimmer, stay within arm's reach whenever they're in or near the water.
Inflatable floaties and pool toys are fun, but they should never replace close supervision or a properly fitted life jacket.
Wear Life Jackets in Open Water
Pools are different from lakes and rivers.
Whenever you're boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, or spending time in rivers or lakes, children should wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket—even if they know how to swim.
Open water can have strong currents, sudden drop-offs, underwater debris, slippery rocks, and changing conditions that aren't always visible from the surface.
Bright Swimsuits Can Make a Difference
Did you know swimsuit color matters?
Bright neon colors like orange, pink, yellow, and lime green are much easier to spot underwater than blue, gray, white, black, or dark green.
Choosing a highly visible swimsuit can help adults locate a child more quickly if they go underwater.
Secure Your Pool
If you have a backyard pool, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:
A four-sided fence at least four feet tall
Self-closing, self-latching gates
Keeping chairs, toys, and furniture away from the fence so children can't climb over
These barriers help prevent children from accessing the pool without an adult.
Even Small Amounts of Water Can Be Dangerous
Children can drown in surprisingly little water.
Remember to:
Empty kiddie pools after every use.
Drain water tables if they won't be supervised.
Keep buckets empty and turned upside down.
Never leave a child unattended in the bathtub.
Learn CPR
We hope you'll never need it, but CPR is one of the most valuable skills a parent, grandparent, babysitter, or caregiver can learn.
Many organizations offer CPR classes throughout the year, and those few hours of training could one day save a life.
Teach Water Rules Early
Help children build safe habits by teaching them to:
Always ask permission before going near water.
Never swim without an adult present.
Enter unfamiliar water feet first.
Wear a life jacket in open water.
Understand that older siblings are not a substitute for adult supervision.
Looking Out for One Another
One of the things we love most about Boerne is the way neighbors care for each other.
This summer, let's continue watching out for our own families—and for those around us. If you notice a child wandering toward the water alone or see a situation that doesn't seem safe, don't hesitate to step in. A kind word or quick action could make all the difference.
We hope your family enjoys every pool day, river float, lake adventure, and creek exploration this summer. By staying alert, preparing ahead, and looking out for one another, we can help make sure those memories are happy ones.
Prayers for a safe and fun summer, Boerne. ❤️
