Olympic Swimming 2004 Article
Keep Your Children Safe When They Are in the Pool
Being in the water, whether in the pool or at the beach can be a lot of fun, but can also be very dangerous as well, especially for children. Children have no thoughts of safety or danger, they just simply know that they have fun doing a specific activity, and unless there is an adult nearby to tell them otherwise, they will continue doing what they are doing until they leave, or get injured, whichever occurs first. Even older kids often think this way, which is why it is so important that if you have a pool at your home, you take the necessary precautions, and never allow your children in or near the pool unattended.
When we are talking about safety and swimming pools, keep in mind that we are talking about all pools, even wading pools. A small child or toddler could drown just as easily in a small kiddie pool as they could in the big pool, so keep that in mind. While the kiddie pools are definitely safer, it still isn’t a good idea to leave your child unattended near one.
If you go on vacation, and are staying somewhere that has a pool, or at the beach, make certain that you have a clear safety plan devised when it comes to the children and the water. When you are making your reservations, it is a good idea to ask about the facilities available, as well as any special kid’s areas they may have. You may also want to ask about lifeguards, how many kids can be in the pool at once, etc.
It can be difficult to keep a constant eye even on just one child in the pool, but it becomes that much more difficult when you have more kids in your care. If you have to leave the pool for some reason, such as to take a child to the bathroom, make all of the other kids get out and go with you. They may not like it, but that is the only sure way to keep them safe and in your sight. You can’t send the one kid off to the bathroom alone, and you definitely should not leave the others in the pool, lifeguard or not.
It may even be a good idea to make all children wear life jackets or approved armbands in the pool, again as an extra precaution. If a child were to get away from you and accidentally get in the deep end, this gear could possibly keep them from drowning until you get to them.
If you have very young children, it may be better to go to the pool on a day that the older kids are in school, so it won’t be so crowded. Of course, if you have your own pool at home this isn’t a concern, but it can sometimes be more difficult to handle your children when you are out in a public place, such as a huge swimming pool at the YMCA, campground, etc.
Let your kids have fun in the water this summer, just make certain that you remember safety first, so that everyone stays happy and healthy in the water!
