Enjoying the summer often means swimming. It is a great family activity, and kids love to splash and play. Whether you have a pool in your back yard or go to a community pool, safety in the water is a major concern for parents.
Swimming means being out in the sun. There are some great ways to assure that all of your family members will enjoy the sun and not be plagued by awful sunburn or even sun poison.
Follow these tips and you are on your way to fun in the sun and safety in the water.
Pool Rules
- Never leave your child unattended in a pool.
- Do not rely on safety rings or floaties to keep your child safe.
- Take a CPR course before the swimming season starts. American CPR Training has a course that you can complete at home for your convenience.
- Make sure that older children understand and can tell you the pool rules.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of 4 not be given swimming lessons because they are developmentally not ready.
Pool Precautions
- Keep the pool in a gated area.
- Make sure the gate is locked whenever there is not an adult around or the pool is not being used.
- Depending on the size of your pool, have lifesaver devices easily accessible in case of emergency.
- Keep pool toys stored away when not in use. This will lessen any temptation a child has to try and retrieve toys from the pool.
Sun Safety Rules
- Apply the recommended SPF 15 or greater to your family's skin, and apply frequently, especially after swimming. (Skin Cancer Foundation)
- Don't forget to apply SPF 15 or greater lip balm, as well.
- Keep plenty of fluids accessible to avoid dehydration.
- Babies and toddlers should wear sun hats with rims to avoid sunburn on their heads.
- Encourage children to play in the shade when possible.
- Do not go out in weather above 95 degrees, if possible.
Shocking Statistics
CPSC reports there are about 280 drowning deaths of children younger than 5 each year in swimming pools, and an estimated 2,100 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms for pool submersion injuries in 2005 – mostly in residential pools. (Consumer Product Safety Commission - May 17, 2006)
In a CPSC study, almost 70 percent of the victims were last seen in the house or nearby on a porch or in the yard before the incident. Drowning can occur in the few minutes it takes to answer the phone. About 77 percent of the victims had been missing for 5 minutes or less when they were found. (Consumer Product Safety Commission - May 17, 2006)
You can find more summer safety tips on Suite101.
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