Are your little one’s going to dive in a pool? How do you take care of their safety?
Swimming is a happy and recreational activity which nearly all kids enjoy indulging in, particularly in the hotter and summer months. Swimming appears easy and fun for kids. However, let’s do not ignore the fact that as many as two children drown unintentionally every day. You need not stop your kids from swimming, but instead, follow a certain set of regulations to ensure that they are safe.
Safety tips are aimed to protect younger children who don’t know to swim yet, while also taking care of older children, who may be assured swimmers stay safe in the water. A variety of swim safety items is also available in the market which ensures your kids’ safety once they are in the water.
First things first, while swimming safety gear can be purchased later on, have a look at the following lifesaving swimming tips which will ensure the safety of your kids while swimming.
Tip 1: Don’t Swim Alone
Children should not swim alone. Young children who are not assured in the water should be accompanied by an adult. Swimming lonely may not appear dangerous, but when a child encounters trouble in the water, they need instant aid which is easy to provide if they are accompanied by an adult.
After your child learns to swim far and float on his back, your kid won’t necessarily require you by their side, but you must always keep them in vision, irrespective of their age. Kids of all ages can be trapped underwater, become tired or panicky. Don’t expect to hear your children screaming or splashing if they require assistance. There have been cases when kids and adults drown silently and quickly; this should not happen with you.
Tip 2: Don The Correct Swimming Attire
Kids should always wear the correct swimming attire when in the water. Heavy clothes are dangerous to swim in when wet. A child with wet clothes can be quickly dragged under the water, making it hard for him to pull himself back to the surface. Any kid heading for the water should don properly fitting kid’s swimwear. For greatest protection from the sun, pick long-sleeved swimming tops. Wetsuits are an excellent choice for children swimming in the ocean. They keep the kid warm, provide great sun protection and also possess a few buoyancy features.
Tip 3: Learn Basic Swimming Techniques
Children can be taught fundamental swimming techniques along with pool safety etiquettes from a very early age. Older children should be aware of keeping afloat, diving safely and judge the depths of safe water. Swimming behaviors like avoiding running on the swimming pool edge, maintaining closed pool gates and having awareness of other persons around them are important. You can get in touch with one of the pool service companies in your area for more information about pool maintenance procedures.
Tip 4: Have A Thorough Knowledge Of The Environment
Kids enjoy diving into any expanse of water, being it swimming pool, lake or any river. Sadly, this causes numerous water accidents to take place. Children should be explained the environment in which they are swimming. They should be acquainted with the water depth and the presence of any rocks below the water surface prior to jumping or taking a dive.
While they are at the beach, instruct children to read and judge the surf, and recognize immediately the presence of tides or currents. Children should take extra precautions especially when they are swimming in rivers with murky water. It is advisable to not jump or dive into a murky river, as there is a danger of heavy debris floating below the surface of the water that cannot be seen from the top.
Tip 5: Secure Use Of Floatation Gear
Make your kid understand the basics with the use of floatation gear. These comprise of arm floaties as well as floatation suits. Arm floaties are perfectly utilized by older children who need some confidence while swimming. The floatation suits are similar to wetsuits or swimming wear with an inbuilt flotation device. Children who need a floatation device should not be allowed to swim alone, rather should be carefully watched by an adult.
Tip 6: Be Careful Of Cold Water
Cold water can impact the body in different ways, more to the children. Jumping into cold water can shock the body of a child; result in loss of breath, muscle contraction, spasms, and fast heart rate. A child can quickly get unbalanced if they jump into the extremely cold water. Once they dive into the cold water, children find it a tough time to swim out of danger. If they feel any loss of breath, it becomes very difficult for them to call for help. Always ensure that the water temperature is optimum before letting your child dive in.
Tip 7: Winter Is Coming
Safety becomes even more important during winter as the likelihood of injury increases due to prevailing conditions. There are many methods by which you can ensure that your kids are safe around the pool. Swimming pool alarms when correctly installed can warn you if children are coming within the pool perimeter. You can also opt to use a winter pool covers, which come in ultra-bright colors for increased visibility. If you keep your pool area clutter free (toys) , children are likely to be a lot more safe.
Take care of the above-mentioned areas in mind, and stick to the safety guidelines to provide your kids with a happy swimming experience.
