11 Things You Should Know About Kids And Pool Safety

Posted by  on 19 September, 2016

Children and pool safety are one of the biggest concerns during the summer months. The risk of drowning can occur in a variety of settings.

The following are 11 things you should know and teach your kids about pool safety:

  1. Get Smart with Swimming and Safety Classes.

    Children should participate in swimming lessons as early as possible. Also, CPR and first aid are also valuable for the entire family to learn.

  2. Install a Barrier Around Your Pool.

    Having a barrier around your pool, such as a fence, allows you to better control your children’s access. Even if you use a pool cover when the pool isn’t in use, it may still not be enough to protect your children.

  3. Have Proper Safety and Rescue Equipment in Place.

    Safety items such as life jackets, shepherd’s hooks, and first aid kits must be easily accessible at all times. It’s a good idea to keep these items close to the pool area.

  4. Teach Your Child to Never Swim Alone.

    When children know that they aren’t supposed to swim alone, they’ll be less likely to get in a pool when you’re not around. Children should also know to never dive into a pool without knowing how deep the water is.

  5. Always Supervise Your Children.

    It’s easy to assume that you can leave children in the pool unattended for a brief period of time. But it only takes a few seconds for a child to fall or jump into a pool without you even realizing it.

  6. Only Allow Children to Swim in a Specific Area.

    You should limit the areas in which your child can swim. This makes it easy to keep an eye on them and allows lifeguards to be nearby.

  7. Don’t Leave Toys Around the Pool.

    Toys should be put away when they’re not being used. Any stray toys left by the pool could attract a young child and cause them to jump into the water to retrieve it.

  8. Inflatable Pools Must Be Kept Safe.

    Inflatable pools may not seem like a threat. But children can still drown in shallow water. So it’s a good idea to empty out your inflatable pool when you’re not using it.

  9. Teach Children How to Behave at the Pool.

    Running, jumping, and other forms of play can be risky. Wet pavement and toys can present hazards that cause children to slip and fall. Teach them to walk and to look where they’re going at all times.

  10. Be Careful When Using Inflatable Pool Toys.

    Certain devices can help young children stay afloat. But these are usually less effective than standard life jackets. Make sure that your children are wearing life jackets when needed and avoid inferior substitutes.

  11. Teach Children to Watch Each Other.

    Older children can help keep an eye on young ones. Teach your children to look out for their siblings and friends, and to be careful when swimming near smaller children.

These are 11 steps you can take to improve the safety of your children when playing at the pool. Implementing them will prevent common accidents and increase the level of enjoyment for you and your entire family.