Seeing the deep blue water from your window. Jumping in your boat or on jet skis steps from your back door. Taking in the natural serenity of lagoon-side living. All are reasons people move to Delta Coves. With the lagoon a central part of the Delta Coves lifestyle, water safety becomes a key piece of day-to-day living.
Take these tips as a starting point as you jump into the community.
Safety (equipment) first
Have proper safety equipment on hand for your family and guests to use when visiting. Wearing properly fitting Coast Guard approved life vests provide an extra layer of protection when on docks, gangways, and watercraft. Throwable flotation devices kept in reach on the dock can help in an emergency.
Set the rules for your house to put safety first for everyone onsite and follow water safety protocols when on Delta waters.
Set up a perimeter
Physically blocking off access to the water acts as the biggest deterrent for pets and children. Delta Coves Maintenance Corporation (DCMC) allows temporary fencing and gangway gates to be installed without Design Review approval – as long as they follow the guidelines.
Keep in mind: Contra Costa Country Sheriff’s Department strongly urges children to be kept off docks, gangways, and rip rap without an approved life vest on and an adult within reach.
Sparkling not still
More than just wind ripples our sparkling waters. Like with all Delta waterways, currents from the San Francisco Bay and San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers have an impact on the ebb and flow of our waters. The tides also pull water in and out of the lagoon.
Anyone falling in the lagoon can find themselves swept under a dock or away from the rip rap quicker than you’d think.
Nature's pool
A lot of water safety information focuses on pool safety. Many of the recommended pool safety rules can be applied to waterside living as well. This handful can get you started:
- Designate a water-watcher to keep an undistracted eye on kids swimming or near the water at all times. Switch it out every 15-20 minutes to keep your eyes fresh.
- Don’t swim alone, especially without a life vest. A lot can happen to experienced swimmers.
- Wear brightly colored swimwear and clothes in or near the water’s edge. Neon orange, yellow, and pink standout the most in natural waters.
- Consider purchasing a swim buoy when swimming away from your dock to alert boaters to your presence in the water.
Take a look at these other water safety tips and see which rules you can also apply to your waterfront home.
Lock it up like Fort Knox
Set up alarms on all first-floor doors and windows and keep them locked. Kids can slip out of sight quickly if determined enough and a few seconds is all it takes.
When used properly, alarms will sound when triggered, alerting you that someone wants to play outside and down by the water.
Just keep swimming
Swim lessons provide crucial skills to keep children confident in their ability to stay afloat should they fall in the water unexpectedly. Enroll your children (or yourself) in swim lessons and give them plenty of time to practice.
Avoiding the pool in the summer months? Many organizations offer short refresher courses at the start of spring.
Look to the experts
While these tips are a great starting point, it’s up to you to keep your children and pets safe around the water. Take control and do your own water safety research, put ground rules in place for your home, and follow through.
DISCLAIMER: The water safety tips provided in this guide are intended solely for informational purposes and are not intended to replace professional advice or training. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, the Delta Coves Maintenance Corporation (“Association”) cannot guarantee its completeness or applicability to every situation. Residents and their guests are encouraged to exercise their own judgment and discretion when implementing any safety measures. The Association, its officers, directors, employees, and agents, disclaim any liability for damages or injuries resulting from the use or misuse of the information contained herein. It is recommended that individuals seek guidance from qualified professionals or authorities for specific concerns or circumstances regarding water safety.