Water SafetyWater safety is one of the most important element in baby swimming and careful consideration should always be given to protecting our children from potential hazards.
SUPERVISION by a qualified adult at all times is paramount to keeping children safe while in the water. Most drownings occur in those few moments that it takes to answer a phone or check on a sleeping baby. Always know where your children are when near water. Maintain eye contact and keep a phone nearby whenever possible. Never assume someone is watching your child. Be sure anyone who is watching your child is well informed about child safety in and around the pool and is properly trained in CPR. If your child is missing, always check the pool first, and if you have infants, keep the toilet lids closed and locked. Never leave a young child unattended in the bath or around any body of water, no matter how small. Children have drowned in only a few inches of water. WATER BARRIERS leading to the pool or any body of water must be installed AND maintained. Capabilities of toddlers change daily. Today they sit, tomorrow they crawl. Toddlers can slip through an unlocked door in the time it takes to answer the phone. Keep all entrances to the pool closed and locked. Install a second lock on each door leading to the pool well out of the reach of a growing toddler's grasp. Door and pool alarms can alert adults of unauthorized access, which can lead to a breach in water safety. A see through mesh type fence should completely surround the pool, with a minimum height of 48 inches. This pool safety fence is especially important in separating one's home and all of it's exits from the pool. When not in use maintain and lock the pool safety fence gate. Keep all climbable objects away from the fence in the event they could enable a toddler to gain access over the fence. Approved pool safety covers can add yet another layer of protection. Perimeter yard fences should have self-closing and self-latching gates.
For additional child safety equipment and devices, visit One Stop Shop For Kids! SWIMMING SAFETY SKILLS are a vital supplement to supervision and water barriers. Even during the water adjustment stage infants/toddlers who are relaxed in the water and can hold their breath provide their parents a few extra seconds to pick them up out of the water. This is a common scene near pool steps or baby pools where the family is sitting and playing. As the children progress, advanced aquatic abilities can provide a final safety net of protection if an unsupervised water entry should occur. Such skills include jumping in, turning around and swimming back to the side, recovering up for a breath and rolling to the back for a breath. INFANT CHILD CPR and first aid certification are needed for all parents and caregivers. Prepare an emergency action plan and in the event of an accident stay calm and react quickly and effectively. Maintain a portable phone by pool and post emergency numbers including 911 on all phones. Keep all toys etc. out of the pool when not in use. Keep tricycles and wheel toys out of the pool area. It is never too soon to teach your child water safety and pool rules such as never entering the water without mommy or daddy. SUNSCREEN should always be considered for babies who are going to be in the sun for longer than a few minutes. Be sure to use a waterproof sunscreen with an SPF strong enough to last the duration of your time in the sun. It's always a good idea to apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before entering the sun and reapply periodically if you are out in the sun for a prolong time. Remember, water safety is a combination of numerous factors. No one segment should create a false sense of security. All of the pieces of the pie must be applied. Responsible parents and caregivers will put into action all the measures necessary to ensure water safety. Return from Water Safety to Baby Swimming home page
Swimming For Babies c/o Optimum Health Center 1200 Cirby Way, Suite G Roseville, CA 95661 916) 521-7888
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Although nothing is as important as adult supervision, there are many other tools that can help keep children safe around the water. Adding pool safety fencing, door alarms, and even water-motion alarms can help reduce the risk of drowning. In addition to these preventatives, gentle swimming lessons and CPR water safety awareness can help keep our children safe.
