CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As we enter the summer season, more folks will be headed to the pool.
There are tons of things to think about before diving into a pool, but is the color of your child’s swimsuit one of them? Let's Verify.
THE SOURCES
- Water color study from ALIVE Solutions
- Aallie Gaines, Charlotte Aquatics
THE ANSWER
Yes, brighter-colored swimsuits are easier to spot if your kid goes underwater.
WHAT WE FOUND
According to ALIVE Solutions, bright and contrasting colors are easier to see underwater. This is important because if your kid goes underwater for a long period of time, you’ll want to easily spot them.
The ALIVE Solutions color test shows some examples.
In the series of photos, fabric colors such as bright reds, pinks, blues and green show up better when compared to fabrics such as light blue, light gray, black and white.
Gaines said drownings are so prevalent in children under the age of 4. She confirms kids should be wearing brightly-colored swimsuits.
"So yes, neon colors are much better, they're easier to spot in the water," Gaines said.
Gaines said while picking out the perfect swimsuit color is important for parents, it’s only a secondary measure for preventing accidents in pools.
"If you're not actually watching the water, if you're not actually watching your kids, it's really not going to do very good," she said.
Gaines suggests putting your kids in swim lessons at an early age to help get them used to being around the water.
"Swim lessons are always going to be your number one way to keep your kids safe around the water the best way to prevent drowning," She said. "Formal swim lessons actually reduce the risk of drowning by 88%."
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
VERIFY is dedicated to helping the public distinguish between true and false information. The VERIFY team, with help from questions submitted by the audience, tracks the spread of stories or claims that need clarification or correction. Have something you want VERIFIED? Text us at 704-329-3600 or visit VERIFY.
