Kids and Swimming Pool Safety
Tips for keeping children safe in and around swimming pools.
Cherylyn Feierabend
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Kids and Swimming Pool Safety
Summer in Arizona is amazing. It’s gets hot here and stays hot. During the summer we spend a great deal of our time outside in the water. I grew up here and my family had a swimming pool in the backyard. I’m pretty sure that once I learned to swim, around the age of 5, I felt invincible in the water. Nowadays, I realize just how NOT invincible I was. So here comes summer and my kids are very excited about the prospect of hanging out in the water and learning to swim. This is a great time to talk about safety in and around swimming pools.
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How to Keep Kids Safe Around the Water
One of the things that I think is crucial to our children’s safety around water is to teach children to respect the water. Let them know the dangers of going in and around water without a grown-up. One of the rules my children learned in their first swim lessons was to always always always ask permission before entering a pool. That reminds them and you to be present whenever they are going into the water. Talk with your children about the dangers of water. It can be a challenging conversation because you don’t want them to be afraid of the water, but you do want them to know that it can be dangerous if they don’t follow the safety rules. Give them a quick checklist if it helps them remember. You can have them remember these three simple rules:
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Do not play or run near the water.
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Ask permission from an adult before going in or around a pool.
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If you see another child near or in the water without a grown-up, tell an adult right away.
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If you will be attending parties or play dates where there will be a pool, make sure you go over the rules with your kids before you arrive. If the pool is not fenced in, consider having your children play inside or in a completely different area unless you are planning to take them swimming. Remember that just because a pool is fenced off, that doesn’t mean your children are 100% safe. Children are very resourceful. If they see a challenge like a fence or a gate, they are very likely to find a chair so they can attempt to unlock or climb over. In other words, don’t leave your kids unattended just because you think the area is safe.
Teach Your Kids to Swim
Both of my children have had some swim lessons, but this year I’m really pushing for them to learn to swim. Neither of them fears the water, but if either of them fell in a pool, I’m pretty certain they would panic. That type of reaction, should the situation occur, is one reason why a child needs swim lessons. Teaching your children to feel safe in the water will help them to remain calm if they should happen to find themselves in the water unexpectedly. If you can teach your children to swim, great, do it yourself. I was completely unable to teach mine on my own because they don’t want to let go of Mommy in the water. Though that was great bonding time for us, I needed them to be able to swim to the side and pull themselves out. The only way that was going to happen was if someone else taught them. Check your local YMCA or recreational centers. Many of them have extremely good rates on swim lessons. If you don’t mind the extra cost, you could even consider a private swim school. Indoor pools will allow your children to learn to swim any time of the year. I believe swim lessons for kids are just as important as CPR classes for parents. So, while you’re at it, make sure you are up to date on your own CPR certifications.
Even Grown-ups Need to Use the Buddy System
One thing that has always concerned me when taking my children swimming in a private pool is the idea of being the only adult present. I believe that adults need to have a buddy system too. If I’m swimming with my kids, I always have another grown-up with us. It’s much safer that way in case something happens to either one of us. I highly recommend that you always have at least one other adult present when swimming with children. If you have several children, even accomplished swimmers, you might want to consider a couple extra adults. There could be a lot going on in the water. Having fun, splashing, and noise-making are great distractions. When you have kids around water, you need to be aware of what is going on at all times. Besides, the more the merrier, right?
Final Tips for Pool Safety
Finally, remember that even if you provide your children with rafts, floaties, swim vests, or inflatable tubes, you cannot rely on these items to keep your child safe. You must be involved and watching at all times. One thing you can and should rely on outdoors and in the pool however, is sunscreen. Make sure you apply it regularly and about 30 minutes before heading outside. Hats are also a great way to keep the sun off of children’s heads and out of their eyes. Also remember that just because you are IN the water, doesn’t mean you’ll stay hydrated. Be sure to bring fresh drinking water with you and keep everyone’s hydration levels up. So, grab your suits, towels, sunscreen, water bottles, and friends and head out to the swimming pool, but please, stay safe while you are out there!
See Also: How to Spend Less on Backyard Pool Maintenance
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading.
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Girls at Pool image courtesy of Shutterstock