Play :: Tips for Pool Safety

 

 

Cooling off This Summer by the Pool

 

It’s summertime, which for kids is paradise. Summer vacation, freeze pops, and all the adventures you can squeeze in before dinner. It also means it’s hot outside – sometimes too hot. While the kiddos usually don’t mind running about till they drip like the half-melted popsicle clutched in their sticky little hands, sometimes it gets too hot outside to have any fun. Instead of huddling next to the air conditioner, the best way to beat the summer heat is to load up the floaties and noodles and head to the swimming pool. Swimming pools are fantastic for a number of reasons, it’s a fun way for the whole family to cool off, it’s a great way to keep the little ones active, and it’s a lot cheaper than running the air conditioner. However, the most important thing to keep in mind, especially with younger children, is pool safety.

 

 

 

 

Paying Attention is Better than a Floatie

 

Don’t get the wrong idea…. Flotation devices are great. They come in a wide variety of fun shapes and color and make the kids feel like they have their own little boat. Not only that, but they are available almost everywhere, from swimming pool supply stores to discount corner stores so finding them is never the issue. However, as the package says, these are not life saving devices. While they can help keep your kids afloat, using them doesn’t negate the need to keep a vigilant eye on the kids as they swim. A simple guideline to follow is this: if your child can’t swim, or isn’t a very strong swimmer, you should probably be in the water with them rather than simply poolside. This way, they can have a blast, or a splash in this instance, and you have the peace of mind knowing they are safe.

 

 

Set Rules for the Pool at Home

 

If you’re fortunate enough to have more than a wading pool in the backyard, there are some important ground rules you should lay out with your children, before the pool cover even comes off for the season. When you have a firm stance on these rules, and your children understand why you have them and why they are important, you can feel better in knowing that they’ll listen. It doesn’t take much to have a good set of pool safety rules, like not swimming alone and no running on the pool deck.

 

There are other things to keep in mind too. If you have a backyard pool, chances are good that the swimming pool contractors installed a fence around it. Not only is this for insurance reasons, but it also keeps little ones from wandering to the pool by them. Getting everyone in the habit of closing the gate behind them is very important for that reason. Swimming pool builders also install ropes that can section off the pool by depth, which can be a great way to keep children in areas that they can swim safety, or in the event they can’t, can stand comfortably if something goes wrong. Having a sign around the Pool makes for a simple reminder for everyone.

 

 

Fun, Sun and Safety

 

While it may seem like plain common sense, sometimes pool safety is paid less attention than it deserves. Fortunately, it really doesn’t take much to make sure that everyone is safe and is having a good time doing it. If your kiddos take to water like fish, just take a moment to remind them of the rules when the season starts. That way everyone can have a cool, enjoyable and safe summer. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

 

 Did you use floaties when your children were learning how to swim?

 

Photo courtesy of Flickr:

Photo courtesy of Flickr:

Photo courtesy of Flickr:

 

About the Author:

Mike Thomas

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