Swimming Safely in France This Summer
With summer vacations in full swing, the French authorities at Service-Public want to remind everyone of the safety recommendations for swimming in France.
Drowning is a risk for all ages, and it is the leading cause of accidental death for those under 25. Each year, Santé Publique France launches an information and prevention campaign during the summer, emphasising safety measures to be followed.
Supervising Children
It is imperative that Children are under active and constant supervision when swimming or even when they are near any source of water, such as the sea, river, lake, swimming pools, or even hot tubs.
- Never take your eyes off young children playing near the water
- Swim and stay with young children if they are in the water
- Designate an adult to supervise each child during swimming
Adult Swimming
- Follow safety guidelines and observe any swimming restrictions
- Stay in areas designated for swimming and supervised by professional lifeguards
- Check the weather conditions and pay attention to the swimming flags displayed near lifeguard stations
- Postpone your swim if you feel unwell (fatigue, chills, health issues, etc.).
- Avoid consuming alcohol before swimming
- Inform someone that you are going swimming
- Enter the water gradually to avoid thermal shock. It is recommended that you wet your head, neck, and stomach, especially when there is a significant temperature difference between the water and the air when it’s hot.
Teach Them Young
In France, there are two national programs for teaching swimming to children of a young age: Aisance Aquatique (for ages 4 to 6) and J’apprends à nager (for ages 6 to 12).
Deadly Seas and Rivers
The sea is the location with the highest number of drowning deaths, followed by rivers, private pools, and other bodies of water. Among adults, half of drowning deaths occur in the sea; among minors, one-third occur in private pools.
Read the full article in English on the Service-Public website, learn about the rules for installing a pool at your property, and see our selection of properties for sale with a pool in France.
