Swim Safety Tips for Summer
The days are longer, the sun is hotter (so much hotter), and vacations are calling your name. It’s summertime! Before putting your little ones in their swimsuits and heading to the water, read below for some swimming safety tips that can help stay safe this summer.
Enroll in swim lessons
Did you know your child can take swim lessons starting at 12 months old? And some survival lessons may accept children even younger than that. Starting your child in swim lessons at a young age may get them accustomed to the water earlier, which can increase their self-confidence and may reduce the risk of drowning.
Supervise pool activity
Before going to the pool, it’s a good idea to set rules for you little ones. Constantly repeat these rules and try your best to make sure they understand. Tell them:
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Don’t leave the area you’re told to stay.
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Never swim alone.
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For weak swimmers, stay in the shallow end.
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Always keep floaties on unless told otherwise.
Public pools can be very crowded especially in the summertime. Even with a lifeguard on duty, it’s crucial to always keep your eyes on your child, whether they are a great swimmer or not. If you have more than one adult with your crew, have the grown-ups take turns, like twenty minute shifts, of who is responsible for watching all the kids.
Choose the right swim suit color
This might seem like a silly thing to consider, but it’s more important than you think. You may not think about the color of your child’s swimsuit being an issue, but this article from Alive Solutions (Swim Suite Color Testing On a Dark Pool Bottom) explains just how important bright-colored swimwear can be. Whether you are in murky lake water or a blue-hued pool, see what color swimsuits they suggest for your little ones.
How to keep your home pool safe
Having a pool in your backyard can feel like an all-time vacation. However, having little ones can make that “vacation” a little less relaxing when it comes to pool safety. If you have little ones, it’s a good idea to put a fence around your pool to ensure they are safe from falling in. If you don’t like the idea of putting up a fence, consider a removable fence that can be put up when the pool is not in use but taken down when needed.
Another thing to consider is a pool alarm. This can be attached to the gate around the pool or on the side of the pool called a “wave alarm” which will go off when a certain amount of water is displaced.