I always loved summer time as a kid, it meant spending time at the pool and hanging out with my friends on the weekends. While I was growing up, my mom would often invest in a small wading pool for us so that we could swim in the backyard. A wading pool is a small pool that is usually a few feet deep and can fill it up with water so that you can swim in the convenience of your own backyard. Even though the pool wasn’t very deep, it still posed several dangers that come along with any type of swimming pool. In fact, I remember that my mom wouldn’t sit outside in the yard to watch us. In fact, most of the time I remember that she would spend her time in the house. She was usually working around the house or watching television in the living room.
Disclosure: This post is for informational purposes only. The opinions reflected in this post are my own and based upon my own experiences.
Always Use Caution and Watch Your Child Closely When Swimming or Playing in the Water Outside
I haven’t bought my own children a swimming pool in a very long time but my youngest got a sprinkler toy for the backyard for his birthday. A young child should be watched closely while playing in a swimming pool or any type of water activity such as a water sprinkler, slip n slide. It only takes a matter of a few minutes for something to go wrong. In fact, it only takes a few inches of water for a young child to drown in, especially, toddlers. According to the US Centers of Disease Control (CDC), swimming pools account for the number one cause of deaths for children ages 1 to 4 years old.
Swimming Lessons Can Prevent Most Drownings
If you plan on purchasing a swimming pool of any type, it is important for you to get all of your children including toddlers swimming lessons. Swimming lessons might not prevent a drowning but it gives your child the best opportunity for survival if they accidentally fall in. Children who don’t know how to swim often panic if they can’t touch the pool floor or accidentally fall in. A child who panics is less likely to be able to swim to the edge of the pool to safety. According to the CDC, swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88%.
Swimming Pools are a Great Way to Cool Off During the Summer
Swimming pools are a lot of fun and are a great way to cool off during the summer months. If you plan on purchasing a swimming pool, including a wading pool, it is best to explain pool safety to your children. Many parents often buy their children flotation devices, such as floaties or pool rings. Flotation devices can give parents a false sense security because it only takes a moment for your child to take them off, for the device to deflate, or for your child to place their face in the water. If your child is unable to swim and they venture into deep water or can’t swim, they could possibly drown.
Swimming Pool Safety Tips to Keep You and Your Family Safe This Summer
Here are a few pool safety tips for you and your family if you plan on purchasing a swimming pool or already have one:
- Get every member of the family, including toddlers, swimming lessons so that they can learn how to swim.
- Parents should learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) this could save your child’s life. It may take a few minutes before Emergency Services to arrive to your house and doing CPR on your child may save his or her life.
- If your child wants to swim or play in the water, always keep a close eye on them.
- Parents should never be distracted while watching their child play in or around water.
- If you have a pool, always fence it off.
- Do use automatic latching devices on the gate.
- Do buy a fence that is over 4 feet tall so that your child can’t climb over the fence and get into the pool.
- Always add a lock to the fence latch so that children can’t access the pool. This way children are unable to open the latch when they aren’t allow to swim.
- Never allow your child to swim alone.
- If your child uses a flotation device, always use a US Coastguard Approved life jacket.
- Any adult that plans on swimming should avoid alcohol or drugs that impair judgment.
- Teach your child not to hyperventilate or panic if they accidentally fall into the water or before swimming underwater.
- Teach your child not to hold their breath under water for long periods of time, it can cause your child to pass out.
- Never play with life saving equipment, it is for emergency use only.
- Do keep a phone handy by the pool so that you can call 911 in the event of an emergency.
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Do you enjoy swimming with your family during the summer months?
