During the summer, kids more than anyone enjoy playing outdoors, and one of the things they love most is getting in the water. No matter their age, even babies who can only get their feet wet while you hold them, will laugh in excitement.
We all know, however, that if you have a swimming pool at home or if you’re going to visit a friend or relative who has one, that the only way to really have fun is by being safe. So, in order to make sure you’re not missing anything, we are going to give you 5 crucial tips for the safety of all children when they’re near water. If you cover these, you’ll enjoy your time a lot more, without worries!
1) Constant supervision
As a parent, you already know how important it is that an adult is always watching the kids. Sometimes, though, it can be hard to give them your full attention, or, if you are in an already familiar environment where there is nothing harmful around, you’re used to keeping an eye on them while carrying various other tasks. Around water, that is simply not possible. Kids need to be supervised attentively the whole time; adults (not older children!) must watch them and avoid distractions such as reading a book or even scrolling on their phones.
2) Even shallow water can be a problem
We tend to think only of big swimming pools as being the problem, but even spaces with as much as 5 centimetres of water can be dangerous. Small children, especially if they haven’t learnt how to walk yet, can drown in shallow water if left alone. This is why you should take note of even small pools or places where there’s water.
3) Keep the pool securely off-limits when you’re not there
One of the most important safety measures that you can take is making sure that the swimming pool is completely inaccessible when you’re not around. Sometimes, children go out to play in the garden and they might, out of curiosity or accidentally, end up in the pool. Apart from blocking the stairs and setting up a firm fence than can be completely closed, one of the best things you can do is install a pool cover. Some pool installations services companies such as Remco offer aesthetically pleasing as well as strong and extremely reliable covers that resist 80 kg of weight!
4) Make sure kids are aware as well
Since they are young, children should be taught about the dangers of being alone inside or around the pool. This cannot, under any circumstance, replace all other safety measures, but it is definitely useful as kids will probably venture less into the mystery of the swimming pool in the first place. And keep toys away from the pool!
5) Don’t trust floating devices such as water wings and floaties
Like any kind of device or product, pool floats may not do their job properly sometimes, due to a number of reasons. Make sure you acquire some that do not tear or puncture easily, that they are correctly and safely adjusted into the child arms or body, and in any case, stay close to your kids and watch them at all times.