Why Your Child’s Bathing Suit Color Matters

In the water, having the right color is key

Going swimming is an essential part of childhood. Whether they’re splashing around in your local pond or diving into the deep end of the pool, being in the water is everyone’s favorite activity.

Before they go for a dip, you’ve probably inspected the area and slathered them with sunscreen. But there’s one thing you may not have considered — the color of their bathing suit. Here’s what to know.

Why are bathing suit colors important?

Did you know the color of your child’s swimsuit is a crucial element of water safety you may be overlooking?

“Bathing suit color matters because the easier a child is to see in the water, the faster an adult can respond if something goes wrong,” says Joy Drass, MD, vice Chair of Outpatient Pediatrics at Geisinger.

Before they take a dip, consider which colors may be more visible under water, especially if your child is swimming in a natural body of water, like a lake or river. Their darker water can make it harder to see your child, especially if they go under.

What are the best bathing suit colors?

Want your child to have the most visibility possible? Choose loud or bold colors.

“Bright, neon colors like pink, orange, yellow, and green are easiest to spot in the water,” Dr. Drass says. Besides solid colors, also consider brightly colored patterns.

The reason? These colors aren’t typically part of the normal environment. That means they’ll stand out against darker colored water or blue pool liners. And you’ll be able to spot your child more quickly.

Worst bathing suit colors

With bright neon colors offering the most visibility, other, more muted shades tend to be less visible. The worst color choices in the water? Ones that blend in with your environment.

“This means avoiding shades of dark blue, green, or white, as well as pastel colors,” notes Dr. Drass.

In the water, darker colors look like dirt or shadows. And lighter ones don’t stand out in the water itself or at the bottom of the pool.

How to make your child more visible

If your child does have a darker colored bathing suit, don’t worry. You can still give your child maximum visibility with a lighter colored swimsuit. Try adding brightly colored items, like:

Rash guards
Life jackets
Bathing caps
Pool toys

Besides visibility, help keep your child safe in the water in other ways.

Help them become stronger swimmers with swimming lessons. And make sure anone adult is assigned to watch the child in the water at all times.

“Swimming lessons, appropriate life jackets, pool fencing, close supervision, and choosing highly visible swimwear all work together,” notes Dr. Drass.

Accidents can happen quickly and quietly, so anything that helps a caregiver recognize trouble early can make a meaningful difference.