Water and drowning prevention is an important issue all year round; however, as families spend more time in and around the pool in the summer months it’s especially crucial to be vigilant about swim and pool safety. Aquaman Pools LLC offers some swim safety tips for guardians of infants, toddlers and little ones.
Secure the Area — According to the Safety Barrier Guidelines for Residential Pools by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), “Many of the nearly 300 children under 5 who drown each year in backyard pools could be saved if homeowners completely fenced in pools and installed self-closing and self-latching devices on gates.” The report also states that “child drownings are the second leading cause of accidental death around the home for children under 5 years of age. In some southern or warm weather states, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in the home for children under 5.”
With Arizona falling under the category of both southern and warm weather states, protecting children from drowning with the proper self-closing doors and self-latching devices should be a top priority for pool owners with little ones. An article on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) website HealthyChildren.org, also notes that pool fences should be completely separated from the house, at least four feet high and have no opening underneath or between slats larger than four inches. The site also suggest homeowners check the backyard for other “pools” of water such as ponds, fountains and bird baths and watch children diligently around these areas.
Consider Swim Lessons — While parents can begin introducing their babies to the pool as early as six months, the organization suggests waiting to sign up for formal swim lessons until baby is at least one year old and meanwhile consider a parent-child program that focuses on safe water introduction through splashing, games, singing and other activities. When in the water with little ones that can swim, it’s still important that guardians stay within arms’ reach.
Ditch the Floaties — While many adults today may remember those old school floaties that their parents worked onto their arms before a swim session. However, todays’ experts say that floaties should not be used to assist little ones in swimming as they may provide a false send of security and can easily pop or deflate. It’s also a good idea to ensure that inflatable tubes and rafts are out of the way as little ones navigate the water so they don’t get caught underneath.
Have Fun! — As guardians teach young ones to swim, making it fun versus scary or stressful is key to building the foundation of a strong and enthusiastic swimmer. Spend time in the water often with little ones to help them feel more comfortable. Short, frequent “dips” may be better suited for babies as they get used to it. And as they grow, make sure toddlers know the rules of the pool — and to never get in without an adult.
Aquaman Pools LLC was started in part to allow residents to enjoy their pools versus spending time just cleaning and maintaining them. Why not let the experts at Aquaman do the “dirty work” so at that’s left for pool owners to do is enjoy summer swim time with the family in their clean, sparkling pool!
