Every year, parents are eager to bring their young children into the pool with them. However, it’s important for parents to know how to ensure that their child is completely safe while they are in the water. These tips will keep kids safe while they are in the pool.
Supervision
- Whenever a child is in a body of water of any kind, they require undivided attention. If a child is below the age of 5, an adult must remain within arm’s length of them. Children of this age can drown in even one inch of water.
- If there are multiple adults supervising while children are in the water, adults must implement a system that ensures that one adult is giving the children their undivided attention for 15 minutes at a time. The parent who is supervising should hold a physical object so that there is never a lapse in time while parents shift duties.
Teach Safety To Kids
- Children can be enrolled in swimming lessons at a local pool at a young age.
- Children must be taught the differences between swimming in pools as opposed to swimming in oceans and rivers.
- Children must be taught to never enter a body of water without an adult. Younger children should be taught to never even go near a body of water without adult supervision.
Don’t Depend on Swimming Aids
- Pool toys like noodles are fun but they should never be a replacement for Coast Guard-approved flotation devices.
Learn CPR
- If a parent is going to introduce their child to swimming, it’s important that they know CPR. A couple hours of CPR training can save a child’s life. Many hospitals and fire departments offer CPR training classes.
Take Extra Precautions With Pools
- If a parent has a pool at home, it must be surrounded by a fence that is at least 4 feet high. The gate must self-latch.
- Parents should purchase a motion-sensing alarm and install it by their pool. This will notify them if their child has entered their pool without their supervision.
Pool Drains Must Be Checked
- Parents must teach a child to never swim near or play with pool drains and suction outlets.
- Parents should install more than one drain in their pools and hot tubs. The more drains, the less suction of each individual drain.
- Parents must install drain covers. They must be checked regularly to ensure that they are not cracked or loose.
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