Guest Post By: Diana Goodwin
Water safety is an important matter, especially during the hot summer months when families are spending a lot of time at pools, lakes, and oceans to enjoy the beautiful weather while swimming. Swimming is incredibly fun & relaxing, but they can also lead to drowning when the correct precautions are not taken.
These are AquaMobile Swim School’s water safety & drowning prevention tips for parents to ensure their children stay safe in and around the water this summer.
1. Actively supervise your child while they swim.
Always watch your child closely when they swim in the water! There is no substitute for active parent or guardian supervision. Make sure one adult is completely focused on watching all children in the water at all times. It’s not enough to have twenty distracted adults talking to each other around the pool – one must be actively supervising the children in case of emergency. In 69% of drownings, the child was being supervised by one or both of the parents.
2. Know CPR and First-Aid training.
Although this may seem like an obvious step, many people, even experienced swimmers, underestimate the need for knowledge of CPR and First Aid. Be sure you are up to date on your First Aid knowledge and certifications so you can take charge in case an emergency situation arises. Effective CPR can double a child’s chances of survival.
3. Make sure the supervising adult knows how to swim.
The supervising adult should know how to swim and know basic CPR and First-Aid Training in case of a swimming emergency. During the time it takes for the ambulance to arrive, CPR training could save a life.
4. Make sure your kids know how to swim.
Children aged 1-4 with formal swimming lessons have up to 88% less of a chance of drowning. Children can learn how to swim from a very young age. However, they will still need to be supervised by an adult at all times to ensure water safety.
5. Fence in your pool.
With an adequately installed fence, you can make sure children don’t wander into your pool unsupervised. For some regions, the law requires you to install a fence around your pool. If not, you should still surround your pool with a fence at least four feet tall to help keep kids from accessing an unsupervised pool area. Install gates with latches that are beyond a child’s reach and use a padlock in conjunction with the latch. Don’t use chain-link fences as those are easy for children to climb.
6. Keep your pool well equipped with safety equipment.
Ensure that you have a First Aid kit, safety ring, rope, and phone near your pool. Make sure the babysitters you hire know about the regulations regarding your swimming pool. Having the right equipment at your pool means that it’s well-equipped to deal with any accidents.
7. Beware of drains.
Watch the drains in your pool and hot tub – body parts and hair can get trapped in the suction, resulting in fatal consequences like your child drowning. Put in drain covers when the pool is not being used, and consider installing multiple drains to reduce suction. Make sure your children don’t play near the hot tub suction!
8. Clean up toys when not in use.
It’s fun to play games in the water, but be sure to clean up! When you’re done with toys, get them out of the pool. A child might fall in the water while trying to retrieve their beloved toy.
9. Never let your child swim alone.
Make sure your child is not swimming alone so that there’s always someone for them to go to in case of trouble! Regardless of age, your children should be using the buddy system.
10. Make sure your children don’t engage in horseplay in the water.
This is a key swimming rule you should teach your child. In the water, make sure your children don’t push or jump on any other children – it’s unsafe swimming practice and can result in an accident.
About the Author: Diana Goodwin is the Founder of AquaMobile, a swim school that provides at home private swim lessons throughout North America.
