Staying Safe Around Natural Bodies of Water

Lakes, beaches, and ponds—oh my! Living in Florida means being surrounded by water, and not just the kind in swimming pools. As a peninsula bordered by both the Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean—and dotted with lakes, rivers, and ponds—our state is 20% water, not including the countless backyard pools across neighborhoods.

While Watermelon Swim typically focuses on pool safety, water safety applies to all bodies of water, and in some cases, natural water can be even riskier because it lacks the protections of a pool environment. The good news? Slyce’s Seeds of Safety still apply! Barriers, adult supervision, swim lessons, and CPR/First Aid training still reduce the risk of drowning and other water-related emergencies significantly. 

But when it comes to natural settings like lakes and oceans, there are a few extra precautions you’ll want to take to stay safe and smart.

watermelon swim water safety week

Swimsuit Safety: Color Matters

One often-overlooked detail when preparing for outdoor swimming is your child’s swimsuit color and pattern. Surprised? It’s true—what your child wears can impact how easy they are to spot underwater.

In pools, visibility is usually good, but in murky or choppy natural water, it can be tough to see below the surface. That’s why bright, neon swimsuits are a must, especially colors like lime green, hot pink, or neon orange. These stand out far better than blues, dark greens, black, or dark colored patterns that blend into the water.

Did you know? Research shows that bold prints and dark colors reduce underwater visibility even more. A child in a blue swimsuit can almost disappear beneath the surface of a lake or ocean.

Below are some examples comparing swimsuit colors in different water types. Which color would you want your little melon wearing?

Watch for Signs and Flags

Whether you’re at the beach, a lake, or a public park, signs and safety flags provide vital information about current conditions. Don’t ignore them—they’re there to protect you!

Common Signs You Might See

  • “DANGER: Alligators – No Swimming”
  • “No Lifeguard on Duty – Swim at Your Own Risk”
  • Water quality warnings (often posted by the Florida Department of Health)

Beach Flag System

  • Green – Low hazard, calm conditions
  • Yellow – Medium hazard, use caution
  • Red – High hazard, strong currents present
  • Double Red – Water closed to the public
  • Purple – Dangerous marine life (like jellyfish or stingrays)

Purple flags are often flown alongside another color flag to signal dual hazards.

Understanding Rip Currents

Rip currents are one of the biggest dangers at the beach—and one of the hardest to spot. They’re narrow, fast-moving channels of water that pull swimmers away from shore. Many people panic when caught in one and make a critical mistake: trying to swim directly back to shore.

What to Do if You’re Caught in a Rip Current

  • Stay calm. Don’t try to fight the current.
  • Swim parallel to shore, not toward it. Rip currents are narrow, so you can usually swim out of one by going sideways.
  • Once you’re free of the current, angle back toward land.

Look for rip currents before you swim: They often appear as flat, calm-looking patches between breaking waves. Ironically, the most dangerous areas can look the most inviting.

Bad Weather & Water Don’t Mix

Bad weather and water activities are a risky combo. Unfortunately, Florida’s summer months are peak storm season, and weather conditions can change quickly.

Lightning is especially dangerous near water. Even if it looks sunny above, changing weather can impact water conditions before the storm hits.

Weather Safety Tips

  • Exit the water if lightning is within 10 miles.
    Use the flash-to-bang method: Count the seconds between seeing lightning and hearing thunder. If it’s under 30 seconds, seek shelter.
    Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning before returning to the water.
  • Always check the local forecast before heading out and keep an eye on weather and surf reports while you’re there.
Smiling instructor in a pool guiding three young children wearing colorful life jackets as they float on their backs, next to a depth marker reading “3 FT 6 IN.”

Water Safety = ALL Water, Everywhere

In Florida, where natural water is all around us, it’s critical to practice water safety in every setting, not just pools.

This water safety month, remember:

  • Slyce’s Seeds of Safety apply everywhere
  • Dress your swimmer in neon suits for high visibility
  • Always pay attention to signs, flags, and weather
  • Teach kids what to do in case of a rip current
  • Never swim alone, look before you leap, and always wear a life jacket when appropriate

Whether you’re poolside, lakeside, or toes in the sand, staying safe means staying smart. Thanks to Watermelon Swim in South Tampa and our other locations around Florida, you can be: Water Smart. Water Fun. Watermelon!