Latest news with #AliveSolutions
Daily Mail
25-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Holidaymakers warned against wearing two particular swimsuit colours this summer
With the summer holidays underway, many Brits will be heading off to seaside destinations both home and abroad. However, parents have been urged to pay close attention to their children's swimsuit colours and avoid two shades in particular. Consumer experts Which? have shared advice based on research by Alive Solutions, which provides water safety education and resources. The company emphasised the colour parents choose to put their youngsters in when swimming 'could save their life'. A video explaining the research was uploaded to Instagram and captioned with: 'The colour of your kid's swimsuit could save their life! 'This video highlights why if you're buying a swimming costume for your child, you should choose a bright neon block colour. 'This is because it maintains better visibility underwater, while light blues and whites can be very difficult to see if your child gets into difficulty. 'We have a free family newsletter that we send out every month – packed with all our child safety content like this.' They compared different colours of swimwear and their visibility in 18 inches of open water from different viewpoints. The swimming costumes were observed from the water surface, the shore and from an elevated level, 'as if you were looking down from a boat,' the video explained. 'In this test, at two feet deep, many of them are barely visible,' it continued. They highlighted the best colours for visibility were discovered to be 'bright ones'. 'Neon block colours', including 'neon yellow, green and orange' were recommended as good options when purchasing swimsuits for children . While all the other colours tested 'disappeared quickly' there were two in particular that were highlighted to avoid. When tested in a swimming pool, bright colours performed strongly again but 'white and light blue showed up the least,' according to the video. The research also found dark colours weren't a good option either, as they 'could easily be mistake for shadow or dirt'. Block colours were also tested against patterns and the strongest contender was revealed to be block coloured neon for visibility, while large patterns 'really distorted underwater'. British holidaymakers heading to Spain this summer are also being warned to double- check local dress codes before packing their suitcases or risk facing hefty fines. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Which? (@whichuk) The UK Foreign Office updated its travel guidance for Spain, alerting tourists visiting popular hotspots that walking around in swimwear away from the beach is not only frowned upon - it's illegal. A statement under the 'Dress Code' section on the website reads: 'In some parts of Spain, it's illegal to be in the street wearing only a bikini or swimming shorts. According to officials, being 'bare-chested' in public spaces - particularly on seafront promenades or on adjacent streets - can also result in fines. In a bid to maintain public decency and reduce disruptive behaviour in tourist-heavy areas, the rules have been enforced by local authorities as the summer holiday season kicks off.
The Irish Sun
24-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
‘Do not pack' warning over popular kids' swimwear colour this summer – and there's more than one you need to avoid
PARENTS are being warned about a hidden danger lurking in plain sight – the colour of their children's swimwear. So if you're lucky enough to be heading on holiday this summer, then you'll need to listen up and take notes. 1 Parents are being warned about a hidden danger lurking in plain sight – the colour of their children's swimwear Credit: Getty Kids Swimwear Colour As the summer holidays get underway, UK families are getting ready for a much-needed getaway to sunny beaches and waterparks. However, parents planning to take their youngsters for a swim should pay attention to the The consumer watchdog Which? has issued a warning via Instagram, revealing that the shade of a swimsuit can make all the difference in a life or death situation, reports Alive Solutions conducted tests on various colours and patterns in both open waters and swimming pools to assess visibility and Which? alerted its followers with a stern message. Fab News Which? stated: "The colour of your kid's swimsuit could save their life. "If you're buying a swimming costume for your child, you should choose a bright neon block colour." They explained that vibrant neon colours remain highly visible underwater. But pale blues and whites can become almost invisible, making it difficult to spot a child in distress so do not pack them. Most read in Fabulous Visibility Tests The video shows a series of tests evaluating swimwear visibility from different angles. This includes surface level, shore perspective, and from above a shallow depth of two feet. Three new family-friendly summer events that kids will love from Disney hunt to walking tour However, The organisation noted: "While the darker colours could be seen, they could easily be mistaken for shadow or dirt." Alive Solutions' research indicated that solid colours are more visible than patterns, with neon shades being the most detectable. Tips to Keep Children Safe in Water IF you are going on holiday this year and want to keep your kids safe when in water, here are some important things to note. Constant Supervision : Always keep a close watch on children when they are in or near water. Avoid distractions like phones or books. Learn CPR : Take a CPR course to be prepared for emergencies. Ensure that any caregivers or babysitters also know CPR. Swim Lessons : Enroll children in age-appropriate swim lessons. Encourage them to practice regularly to build confidence and skills. Use Life Jackets : Ensure children wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when boating or near open bodies of water. Do not rely solely on inflatable toys or floaties for safety. Establish Water Rules : Set and enforce rules such as no running near the pool, no diving in shallow water, and swimming only with adult supervision. Secure Pools : Install barriers around pools, such as fences with self-latching gates. Use pool covers and alarms to provide additional layers of security. Educate About Water Hazards : Teach children about the dangers of drains and suction outlets in pools and hot tubs. Explain the risks of natural water bodies like currents, tides, and underwater obstacles. Stay Hydrated and Sun-Protected : Ensure children drink plenty of water and take breaks to avoid dehydration. Apply waterproof sunscreen to protect their skin from harmful UV rays. Buddy System : Encourage the buddy system where children swim in pairs or groups, ensuring they look out for each other. Check Water Depth and Conditions : Verify the depth of the water and check for any hazards before allowing children to enter. Be aware of weather conditions and avoid swimming during storms or strong currents. By following these tips, you can significantly enhance the safety of children in and around water, ensuring they have a fun and secure experience. The study also found that small patterns don't significantly affect Conversely, large dark patterns were shown to greatly diminish how noticeable swimwear is. For example, a plain neon orange swimsuit is more visible against a dark pool bottom compared to one with large navy stripes. Other Fab Parenting News Taking your family away on holiday can be expensive - but one savvy Charlene Woracker, who has four children, revealed how she found a dream A Celebrity Big Brother star and internet personality has revealed the birth of her third child. YouTube and podcast star But people cry her And a mum has hit back after being
The Sun
24-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
‘Do not pack' warning over popular kids' swimwear colour this summer – and there's more than one you need to avoid
PARENTS are being warned about a hidden danger lurking in plain sight – the colour of their children's swimwear. So if you're lucky enough to be heading on holiday this summer, then you'll need to listen up and take notes. 1 Kids Swimwear Colour As the summer holidays get underway, UK families are getting ready for a much-needed getaway to sunny beaches and waterparks. However, parents planning to take their youngsters for a swim should pay attention to the colour of their child's swimming costume as it could be a lifesaver. The consumer watchdog Which? has issued a warning via Instagram, revealing that the shade of a swimsuit can make all the difference in a life or death situation, reports the Express. Alive Solutions conducted tests on various colours and patterns in both open waters and swimming pools to assess visibility and Which? alerted its followers with a stern message. Which? stated: "The colour of your kid's swimsuit could save their life. "If you're buying a swimming costume for your child, you should choose a bright neon block colour." They explained that vibrant neon colours remain highly visible underwater. But pale blues and whites can become almost invisible, making it difficult to spot a child in distress so do not pack them. Visibility Tests The video shows a series of tests evaluating swimwear visibility from different angles. This includes surface level, shore perspective, and from above a shallow depth of two feet. Three new family-friendly summer events that kids will love from Disney hunt to walking tour However, many costumes were found to be "barely visible". The best choices for maximum visibility were neon yellow, green, and orange, while other colours simply faded away. The organisation noted: "While the darker colours could be seen, they could easily be mistaken for shadow or dirt." Alive Solutions' research indicated that solid colours are more visible than patterns, with neon shades being the most detectable. Tips to Keep Children Safe in Water IF you are going on holiday this year and want to keep your kids safe when in water, here are some important things to note. Constant Supervision: Always keep a close watch on children when they are in or near water. Avoid distractions like phones or books. Learn CPR: Take a CPR course to be prepared for emergencies. Ensure that any caregivers or babysitters also know CPR. Swim Lessons: Enroll children in age-appropriate swim lessons. Encourage them to practice regularly to build confidence and skills. Use Life Jackets: Ensure children wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when boating or near open bodies of water. Do not rely solely on inflatable toys or floaties for safety. Establish Water Rules: Set and enforce rules such as no running near the pool, no diving in shallow water, and swimming only with adult supervision. Secure Pools: Install barriers around pools, such as fences with self-latching gates. Use pool covers and alarms to provide additional layers of security. Educate About Water Hazards: Teach children about the dangers of drains and suction outlets in pools and hot tubs. Explain the risks of natural water bodies like currents, tides, and underwater obstacles. Stay Hydrated and Sun-Protected: Ensure children drink plenty of water and take breaks to avoid dehydration. Apply waterproof sunscreen to protect their skin from harmful UV rays. Buddy System: Encourage the buddy system where children swim in pairs or groups, ensuring they look out for each other. Check Water Depth and Conditions: Verify the depth of the water and check for any hazards before allowing children to enter. Be aware of weather conditions and avoid swimming during storms or strong currents. By following these tips, you can significantly enhance the safety of children in and around water, ensuring they have a fun and secure experience. The study also found that small patterns don't significantly affect visibility regardless of their colour. Conversely, large dark patterns were shown to greatly diminish how noticeable swimwear is. For example, a plain neon orange swimsuit is more visible against a dark pool bottom compared to one with large navy stripes. Other Fab Parenting News Taking your family away on holiday can be expensive - but one savvy single mum shared how she did it for just £22 per person. Charlene Woracker, who has four children, revealed how she found a dream caravan holiday in St Ives for the bargain price. A Celebrity Big Brother star and internet personality has revealed the birth of her third child. YouTube and podcast star Trisha Paytas, 36, has finally given birth to her third child, a son. But people cry her child's name is "Horrendous – what is wrong with you?" And a mum has hit back after being torn apart for the gifts she got her kid's teacher. Heidi Powell, an influencer and mum-of-four shared an image of the goodies to social media.
Daily Mirror
24-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Holiday-goers warned not to pack white or blue swimwear this summer
Parents have been issued with a warning about the colour of their child's swimming costume as it could be the difference between life and death in a pool or at the beach. As the summer holidays get underway, families across the UK are preparing for a much-needed getaway to sunny beaches and poolside retreats both domestically and overseas. However, parents planning to take their youngsters for a swim should pay attention to a vital safety tip: the colour of your child's swimming costume could be a lifesaver. The consumer watchdog Which? has issued a warning via Instagram, revealing that the shade of a swimsuit can make all the difference in a life or death situation, reports the Express. Alive Solutions conducted tests on various colours and patterns in both open waters and swimming pools to assess visibility, prompting Which? to alert its followers with a stark message. "The colour of your kid's swimsuit could save their life," Which? stated. "If you're buying a swimming costume for your child, you should choose a bright neon block colour." They clarified that vibrant neon colours remain highly visible underwater, contrasting sharply with pale blues and whites which can become almost invisible, making it difficult to spot a child in distress. In a series of tests evaluating swimwear visibility from different angles including surface level, shore perspective, and from above a shallow depth of two feet, many costumes were found to be "barely visible". The standout choices for maximum visibility were neon yellow, green, and orange, while other hues simply faded away. The organisation noted: "While the darker colours could be seen, they could easily be mistaken for shadow or dirt." Alive Solutions' research indicated that solid colours are more visible than patterns, with neon shades being the most detectable. The study also found that small patterns don't significantly affect visibility regardless of their colour. Conversely, large dark patterns were shown to greatly diminish how noticeable swimwear is. For example, a plain neon orange swimsuit is more visible against a dark pool bottom compared to one with large navy stripes. Therefore, when purchasing children's swimwear, it's advisable to choose neon colours to enhance safety.
CTV News
19-06-2025
- Science
- CTV News
Could the colour of your child's swimsuit save their life?
There's no scientific proof, but it's a question worth asking, could the colour of your child's swimsuit play a role in how visible they are in the water? Some water safety experts think it might. A company called Alive Solutions, which specializes in water safety, conducted a few experiments to explore how swimsuit colours perform in both pools and lakes. In two separate experiments they found that certain swimsuit colours are easier to spot in a swimming pool versus open water. Independently conducted testing The tests were conducted independently and not published in a peer-reviewed journal. In controlled tests, swimsuits in 14 different colours were submerged in different bodies of water to observe how visible they were under certain conditions. In a swimming pool, with a light-coloured bottom, the company's tests showed that neon pink and neon orange seemed to be most visible. White and light blue colours, on the other hand, tended to disappear, blending in with the pool bottom. Darker colours showed up against the light pool bottom, but could often be dismissed for shadows, leaves or dirt. In lake water, the tests showed that bright neon colours including neon orange, yellow and green were visible but neon pink did not perform well. White swimsuits appeared more vibrant due to reflecting light. All other colours were not very visible. Swimsuit Colour Test The company Alive Solutions tested how visible various swimsuit colours are against a light-coloured swimming pool bottom. The top photo in each section is the fabric underwater, and the bottom photo is the fabric with surface agitation. (Courtesy Natalie Livingston via CNN Newsource) Many factors play a role According to the Lifesaving Society Ontario, many other factors play a role in visibility, including glare, water clarity or even wave action. 'Dressing in swimwear that is high-contrast to your environment may increase your ability to be seen in the water, but there are many factors such as glare, water clarity and water agitation that can still reduce visibility. There is a lack of formal research to support wearing one colour over another in specific settings under specific conditions,' Stephanie Bakalar, senior communications officer of Lifesaving Society Ontario told CTV News. Still, even if these results haven't been formally validated, they point to a simple step that could improve safety. That said, no colour choice replaces the need for constant supervision. 'In Ontario, 100 per cent of drowning deaths in children under five is caused by absent or distracted supervision.' Bakalar said. 'It is important that when children are around water that they are directly supervised by a responsible adult and in the case of weak or non-swimmers they remain within arms' reach.' Water safety Approved lifejackets offer another layer of protection, especially on boats. Provincial experts recommend lifejackets in bold colours. 'We recommend lifejackets be red, orange or yellow to increase your visibility on the water and approved by Transport Canada,' Bakalar continued. The safest place to swim is where trained lifeguards are on duty. Fewer than one per cent of drowning deaths in the province occur in lifeguard-supervised areas, according to Lifesaving Society Ontario. 'The Society's national lifeguards are trained to scan the surface, middle and bottom of their supervision zones and maneuver to reduce visual disruptions such as glare. Water quality standards in pools are set to ensure clarity allows for visibility to the bottom. Natural bodies of water present different challenges to visibility, but lifeguard supervised waterfront zones are established to create the most visibility possible,' Bakalar said. So, does swimsuit colour save lives? It is not scientifically proven. But in the approach to water safety which starts with supervision and includes life jackets, swimming lessons, and safe environments it could be a small change that makes a difference.
