“No Hi-Five, No Swim”: A Simple, Powerful Step Toward Water Safety

It’s getting to be that time of year again—when the sun is shining, the temperature’s rising, and the pool is calling. As we ease into warm-weather fun, it’s the perfect moment to revisit a few smart water safety habits that can help protect our kids.

We all know teaching children to swim is important. But even strong swimmers need constant supervision. Drowning is quick and often silent—so no matter how confident our kids are in the water, an attentive adult on watch is non-negotiable.

Last spring, I shared tips on preparing children for swimming and encouraging safe water play (linked below!). But today, I want to highlight a playful and powerful idea I recently discovered:

“No hi-five, no swim.”

This simple phrase makes for a fun house rule—kind of like saying:
“If you don’t high-five, you don’t dive!” 🖐💦

The rule is simple: before your child sets even a toe in the water, they high-five their parent or caregiver. That quick little gesture does a lot of heavy lifting:

• It creates a pause before play.

• It gives a clear message—an adult is now officially “on watch.”

• It reassures the child that someone is present, alert, and looking out for them.

Not to mention, it adds a touch of fun to a serious topic. Kids love rules when they feel like games. So go ahead—make it official! Write it in chalk by the pool, or declare it your family’s summer slogan:
“No hi-five, no swim—it’s the law of the lawn chair!” 😄

Let’s make water safety second nature. That high-five may be small, but it packs a punch when it comes to keeping our little ones safe.

Looking for more ways to prep your child for safe swimming?
Check out these related blog posts:

• Enhancing Safe Summer Splashes

• Use Caution with Inflatable Arm Bands

• American Red Cross Water Safety Link

Wishing you a summer full of safe splashes and happy high-fives! 🏖