When I was little, I remember feeling a wave of excitement come over me whenever I was within striking distance of a swimming pool. I’d shriek in delight at the smell of chlorinated water. And now that I have kids, I see that they share the same enchantment with pools. If your kids are anything like mine, you’d be smart enough to consider the following pool safety tips- especially for toddlers:
Get in gear. Buy proper-fitting floatation devices such as life vests, and have your kids wear them whenever they’re near water. For toddlers, it’s advisable to pick one with a strap between the legs and a “collar” for enough head support. This will keep the kid’s head and face up and out of the water.
Never leave the kid alone. Don’t think for a minute that just because your little one aced his swimming lessons, he’s going to be the next Michael Phelps. That does not make him “drown-proof”. No matter what, a child always needs to be supervised in water. An adult swimmer should be within arm’s reach.
Keep them fenced in. Be sure to swim in a pool surrounded by pool fencing that is four-sided, and has no openings where a kid can crawl under. Choose a pool with a gate that closes and latches by itself.
Slather on sunscreen. Never underestimate the importance of protecting your kid’s skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Apply a generous amount on all exposed areas of his skin to keep him from burning to a crisp.
Swimming or playing in the water can provide your toddler lots of fun. Just always remember to make safety a priority. And then you too can relax and have fun!
