Swimming is one of summers most loved activities, but it can also be one of its most dangerous. Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children 14 and younger and it can take as little as 18 seconds for a child to drown.
When you have eager little water lovers who don’t know how to swim, it can be difficult to keep both eyes on them at all times with all of the distractions and activities at swimming pools. To keep your family safe and enjoy all of the fun of splishing, splashing and wading in the water, be sure to:
• Watch children closely at all times! Forget the phone or interesting conversation within ear shot and focus on your child(ren).
• Enroll your child in swim lessons. There is differentiating reports about when to start lessons. Lessons don’t guarantee that children will instantly know how to swim and can be unsupervised, but it starts them on the road to strengthening and developing their swimming skills.
• Listen to your child and be aware of what the Red Cross calls, “The Dangerous Toos” - If your child says that he’s “too tired”, “too cold”, “too hungry”, “too much sun” it’s time to call it a day or let your child re-charge.
• Make sure that an adult is within arms reach of a child at all times in the water.
• Use the right swimming gear. If you want to use flotation devices, make sure to purchase ones that are “Coast Guard Approved”. Remember, flotation devices do not replace supervision.
• Take a CPR class. Chances are you will not need to use this, but it’s an essential method that parents should know.
• Have fun! Swimming is a wonderful activity & form of exercise and rightfully so… kids love it!
No comments:
Post a Comment