Splash Safely: Outdoor Water Safety Basics

Summer is the prime time to splash in the pool. Show your kids some water and they will giddily run towards it. However, remember that drowning is the leading cause of death to children under 5 years old. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 350 children under five drown each year in swimming pools and another 2,600 are treated in hospital ERs each year following submersion incidents, the incidents that often result in permanent brain damage. I don’t mean to cause panic, just a healthy caution. You care about your child’s safety and you want him to have fun in the water. So here are a few pool safety tips to abide by when splashing around – and these are best followed in combination, providing layers of protection.

WATCH’EM LIKE A HAWK

This was the advice of my seasoned mother, and isn’t grandma always right? There is no substitute for watching your kids. All the safety latches in the world won’t stop a curious toddler exploring the world. This is true around the house and is certainly true around the water. Always keep an eye on your baby and do not leave him when near the water. A 5-minute phone call is enough for an accident to happen. So when you are by the water, have all your essentials with you and never leave your child unattended.
When out by a lake or ocean, have your child wear bright outfits to make it easier watching him among other children.

BE WITHIN A HUG’S REACH AWAY

When you are right near the water – whether it’s your pool or a lake, river or ocean – always be within a hug’s reach away. Be especially careful with toddlers who are adventurous and often unpredictable. They can quickly dash in the water to catch an alluring toy (avoid having tempting toys in the water in the first place) or just try dipping their toes at the edge of the pool. In case of a fall, seconds matter, as damage to the lungs and brain can happen very quickly, so don’t let your child walk closely by the water and always hold his hand when nearby.

GUARD AND COVER UP THE POOL

Make sure your pool has all the possible safeguards: barriers, fences and alarms. You should have fencing and walls around all sides of the pool and at least 4 feet high. The gates for your fences should be self-closing and self-latching. A rigid pool cover is essential if you live in a colder climate (and cover it in the winter time), but it is also great protection for the pool when not in use. If you have doors leading to the pool, place a latch on them. Alarms in the pool and on your doors are also helpful if possible – they will alert you to any potential problem. If you have an above-ground pool, secure the steps and ladders to the pool and remove them when the pool is not in use. Kiddie pools should be emptied once you are done using them. These are pool safety must-haves.

BE READY

You can take every precaution, but accidents may still happen. So your best form of protection is taking a class of CPR and making everyone that watches your baby take one (babysitters, grandmas, and friends). You can take one at your local hospital, YMCA or learn the basics online. Finally, have a cell phone with you by the water in case of an emergency.

WAIT TO SWIM

If you really want to feel safe, my advice is to avoid pools altogether until your child reaches 5 years old, at which point she can take swimming lessons. I remember when we first moved from the city to the suburbs, I was anxious to find a house with a pool, but after reading through all the potential dangers, ended up avoiding the ones that had it.
Chicago Park District YMCA recommends starting swimming lessons as early as 4 years old, to help your child feel comfortable in the water. They are usually developmentally ready for such a class by 4 or 5 years old. These lessons are best done with your supervision (meaning you will be with your child in the pool).

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