I deal with drunk drivers in my job, so I am especially tuned into people’s drinking habits. They can turn deadly in a car and it is heart-breaking to see the consequences. I am not trying to judge people morally or to breach good behavior to them, but I do want to warn them if I can. If I save a few lives so much the better. It pays to just be aware of what over indulging can do. Recently, I have heard about some adult drownings in backyard pools. Apparently some of them have to do with excessive drinking. Why would someone want to get drunk and try to swim? It simply isn’t safe at all. It is rare enough that people are not paying attention to the statistics. So now you know.

If you are going into the water and want to drink at the same time, the only wise route is to use a pool float big enough for an adult. Using an inflatable will help you be smart near water. They are comfortable, easy to inflate with an air pump, and come in attractive shapes and colors. You can pick one you like and then know that you have made the right gesture. If you can’t curb your drinking and limit yourself to just one cocktail, then by all means get a float. All summer long people enjoy their pools and it seems like a good idea to them to have a few drinks to relax. But you can be too relaxed and risk your life. In a large pool, you can wander off to the deep end without even knowing it. If it is dark outside you might not be able to see the steps behind you to exit. It is not that easy to jump up over the side. The answer is the pool float.

I don’t want to tell sad stories but even in my neighborhood, one middle-aged father drowned mercifully when his kids were in the house. We all talked about it incessantly. If only he had practiced safe rules when around the pool. After the accident, the pool was removed by the widow as it was a constant reminder. She is hysterical whenever her kids say they want to go swimming. Maybe someday they will be allowed to use floats. I felt very sorry for the family and it encouraged me to get on my high horse about drinking and swimming. You lose your judgement when driving so why not when in the water. Some people don’t believe this and they continue to gulp down another drink. Their reasoning ability is shattered. We all know this but some can’t accept it and believe they are the exception. I personally have several inflatable pool floats for adults so I can loan them out to neighbors or use them at home for those who insist on drinking. Do yourself a favor and follow my lead.

Every adult wants to think that he or she sets a good example. It can pertain to behavior and actions of all types but it is particularly important if there is a moral lesson involved. That’s how we pass on our customs and lore to the young. They learn by watching and also by listening to what you say. It is all about teaching responsibility a lot of the time. Kids don’t get it by osmosis. They have to live with those who show how it’s done. You have to pick your moments so that your lesson in life has some meaning. You don’t let your children run wild. You reign in their behavior with instruction and guidance. Sometimes that means you get in fights. It goes with the territory of parenthood.

Usually you wait for the right occasion to say your piece and impart your wisdom, but sometimes they don’t seem that important. Take one occasion when I had an argument with my son who forgot to replace the hot tub cover after he’d used it with some friends. This is how I knew he had used it, and without permission at all. We have strict rules about these things in the family and were displeased that he didn’t abide by them. We were out and I am sure there was that great temptation to uncover the tub and invite friends over for some fun. It probably thought that we would never find out. The cover gave it all away. It was a simple mistake. He certainly heard about this behavior from us. He violated our trust. When it comes to water, there are issues of safety about which we have concerns. We would hate to have an accident happen in our midst.

The argument was tense and it brought home the point. I don’t expect usage of the hot tub in the near future without a prior discussion. The fact that he invited kids over was a point of contention with him. He wanted to be popular with his friends and neighbors and the hot tub was a big draw. We felt bad about the argument because we could certainly understand his desire to please others. Also, he often uses the hot tub when we are at home supervising. We used this incidence to teach responsibility and we hope that it took.

Now, when he wants to use the hot tub he must tell us in person or at least leave a clear note. He cannot invite friends unless an adult is present, which could be in the yard or just the house. We like him to be able to entertain and that’s what the hot tub is for. As long as the cover is intact, we will have no telltale signs that he has violated our family policy. We prefer not to have heated arguments, however, and hope that a simple explanation of what was wrong will suffice. It is a better method to be a parent and not an ogre.