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You are here: Home / Articles / Health / Swimming Pool Safety: Protect Your Kids This Summer

Swimming Pool Safety: Protect Your Kids This Summer

July 11, 2014 by Kathryn 97 Comments

Whether they’re toddlers, mid-size models or teen versions, kids and swimming pools go together like milk and cookies. Regardless of the ages of your kids, you can ensure that everyone stays safe in and around your pool all season long. Read on for common sense tips that will maintain a safe environment for everyone who joins the fun in and around your pool.

swimming pool

Pool Safety Starts Inside

Let’s start with the basics: skin care. Keep a variety of sun block products stocked, such as sensitive skin formulas, lotions, spray-on, water/sweat-proof, etc. Ideally, sun block should be applied at least 10 minutes prior to getting into the water, to allow it to penetrate the skin and fully absorb. If it’s put on too soon, it will already begin breaking down. Remember, the lower the sun protection factor (SPF), the more frequently you’ll need to re-apply.

Sun blocks with an SPF of less than 15 should be reapplied on dry or damp (not dripping wet) skin every hour, especially during the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are the strongest. For higher SPF formulas, less frequent reapplications (every two hours, for example) are fine, unless you are in the water constantly or sweating profusely, which would pull the sunscreen away from your skin faster. Using a higher SPF formula for the face and top of shoulders is also a great idea. A word about sunscreens: like expired medicines, it’s best to start each new swim season with fresh, maximally effective sunscreen. Check the labels for expiration dates when the weather begins to warm up each year and replace outdated ones.

Heading Outside

Next, set yourself up for outdoor success in the event of a both a minor mishap or full-blown emergency. Here’s a short list of items to bring with you out to the pool:

  • Cell phone or landline extension for quick calls, or to make a call without leaving young children unattended
  • Basic first-aid kit with antibacterial ointment, Band-Aids, tweezers (slivers!) and bug spray
  • Plenty of drinking water to keep kids hydrated

Into the Water They Go!

Once the basics in place, it’s time to swim. Anyone supervising young swimmers, including older children and teenagers, should know CPR. According to the American Red Cross, children as young as nine years old are typically able to learn and retain CPR instruction, and a child who knows the basics can make a critical difference while waiting for help to arrive. The Red Cross also offers instruction for adults and children at locations across North America, including online courses, for a reasonable price.

Regardless of the age of your children, they and their friends should be aware of your expectations for their behavior. For younger kids, create a poster board with “Pool Rules” and have it laminated to protect it from sun and water. Post it in a conspicuous place. Keep it simple, but clear: no running, no diving in the shallow end, no glass around or in the pool, etc. Having an established set of rules to follow will make it much easier to enforce them and allow everyone to have a great day in the sun.

Other emergency items that should be visible and kept near the pool: a long pole (your pool net/brush can double as an emergency aid) and flotation ring. Make them accessible and be sure they are where they belong at the end of the day.

Remember, it only takes a few minutes, a little information and the right supplies to minimize trouble and maximize fun in the pool for kids all season long!

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: anappleperday, exercise, good health, guest, guest post, guest writer, health, kaitlin gardner, pool, pool safety, pool safety tips, pool tips, safety, safety tips, swimming, swimming safety, swimming safety tips, swimming tips, tips

Comments

  1. Eva Mitton-Urban says

    July 11, 2014 at 3:00 pm

    Swimming safety is always paramount in my household. Especially when my son invites his friends over. Pool Party or just a visit – their safety is in my hands – great tips here that I will practice and hold dear. Ty.

    Eva Mitton-Urban

    Reply
  2. Kristine Ewald says

    July 11, 2014 at 3:05 pm

    Thank you for these tips! My daughter is 3 and its all good to know!

    Reply
  3. Kayla Schmitke says

    July 11, 2014 at 3:14 pm

    Thank you for all the great tips!! Can never be too safe around water that’s for sure!

    Reply
  4. Crystal Englot says

    July 11, 2014 at 3:30 pm

    Thank you for all the great tips on pool safety! This is the first year my son has ever been in a pool (other than a little kiddie pool) So these tips are going to come in very handy!

    Reply
  5. Chandra Christine O'Connor says

    July 11, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    That’s on thing I think all children and adults should learn swimming safety. It was a priority in our household.

    Reply
  6. Doris Calvert says

    July 11, 2014 at 4:48 pm

    It’s so easy to drown even in a few inches of water so this is a good point

    Reply
  7. Suzie M says

    July 11, 2014 at 5:19 pm

    It all happens so fast
    Everyone should take swimming lessons

    Reply
  8. michelle tremblett says

    July 11, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    Kids need to be taught right from babies about water safety, It can be so scary ! I was so lucky growing up my dad worked at a Olympic pool and he had us in the water everyday, we were in the deep end at 3, but so many don’t have the same experience :/

    Reply
  9. jenn huey says

    July 12, 2014 at 3:49 am

    I love that you included a most important part of pool safety, which is protecting our skin. I dont know this for a fact but their are probably more deaths from skin cancer than from drownings

    Reply
  10. Janet W. says

    July 12, 2014 at 5:08 am

    These are all great tips! We made sure to always load my grandsons up, and ourselves, with sunscreen to protect our skin.

    Reply
  11. Esperanza Gailliard says

    July 12, 2014 at 5:24 am

    I take it easy with my kids and often times I take extra precaution for skin.

    Reply
  12. Tom Bellamy says

    July 12, 2014 at 5:37 am

    These are excellent tips for the three year old twins who love the pool.

    Reply
  13. JaimeeM says

    July 12, 2014 at 6:51 am

    I have a 4 year old who absolutely loves swimming! At the beginning of the summer I have begun to drill safety while in the water with him.

    Reply
  14. Cryssie Cherry says

    July 12, 2014 at 8:05 am

    I live in Florida and all too often the news tell me about another young child drowning :(. Last week 2 children drowned in my county. A toddler in a pond and a baby in a pool. I think the absolute MOST important pool safety tip is SUPERVISION. If you have a pool or live by a lake or pond, safety first does come in the house. Child safety locks and keeping doors closed. I don’t have a pool but my mom does and we swim there often. I have 3 boys, ages 6, 4, and 1 1/2. I usually require at least one other adult outside with me if I’m going in the pool. It’s hard to keep an eye on my toddler when I have 2 kids climbing on me and yelling “Mom, watch this! watch that!”. My older boys know how to swim but if I am watching them, and my youngest falls in, I may not be aware. Supervision is the key.

    Reply
  15. Wanda Tracey says

    July 12, 2014 at 1:08 pm

    Thanks for the great tips.One can never be over-safety conscious.Iuse lots of sunscreen on the kids all summer long and some days in winter too.

    Reply
  16. Teresa Claire says

    July 12, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    These are wonderful tips. I think swimming lessons are so important. Sara had to eventually give up swimming lessons because of the problems with her ears…tubes and everything…but at least she learnt to swim before having to do that.

    Reply
  17. courtney b says

    July 12, 2014 at 2:38 pm

    these are great tips- teaching kids how to swim is SO important !:) im so afraid of drowning

    Reply
  18. Rebecca T says

    July 12, 2014 at 6:57 pm

    Thanks for this important information. My mom was always adamant that we follow the rules when it came to swimming. She had had a bad experience that scared her when she was young, and she drilled in us how important water safety was. It’s made me extra cautious with my daughter around water.

    Reply
  19. Miranda Sherman says

    July 13, 2014 at 12:21 am

    Swim and water safety is SOO important and sadly over looked these days! We watch our kids very closely around water being we live in a town surrounded by lakes.

    Reply
  20. Darlene Schuller says

    July 13, 2014 at 9:44 am

    Children and water such a dangerous combination.. can never be safe enough.

    Reply
  21. kathy downey says

    July 13, 2014 at 9:53 am

    These are all great tips,thanks for sharing you can never be to safe

    Reply
  22. Claire Rheinheimer says

    July 13, 2014 at 11:32 am

    We’ve spent a lot of time in the pool this year. My little ones aren’t outside unless I’m with them. We have a fence around the pool, but 3 year olds are smart and I’m sure my little guy could easily figure out some way through it! We are super. super cautious and always use sunscreen!

    Reply
  23. Bev says

    July 13, 2014 at 11:36 am

    It is definitely important to remind everyone of water safety for the summer.

    Reply
  24. nikki robak says

    July 13, 2014 at 3:33 pm

    thanx for the tips drowning is one of the number one ways kids die

    Reply
  25. DARLENE W says

    July 13, 2014 at 5:19 pm

    All of the grandkids take swimming lesson but at no time are they ever left alone by the pool

    Reply
  26. tammy ta says

    July 13, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    Great post-thanks

    Reply
  27. Tannis W says

    July 13, 2014 at 6:49 pm

    Thanks for these tips. I think it’s also important to always watch your kids, and not expect a lifeguard to be watching them.

    Reply
  28. jan says

    July 13, 2014 at 7:23 pm

    even just the basics are so necessary for all kids. we have one that hates the water, but at least knowing what to do if there is an emergency and commonsense around water is important.

    Reply
  29. Nena Sinclair says

    July 14, 2014 at 2:54 am

    These are great tips that everyone should read and then re-read every summer!

    Reply
  30. Erika Birrell says

    July 14, 2014 at 8:21 am

    Awesome tips, some things I didn’t even think of! I always have my phone close though everywhere I go lol so that would definitely come in handy in case of an emergency!

    Reply
  31. Tara E says

    July 14, 2014 at 10:12 am

    Great tips. Always having to remind mine to be careful!

    Reply
  32. Nina Murray says

    July 14, 2014 at 1:37 pm

    swimming lessons are an important part of this also.

    Reply
  33. caryn s says

    July 14, 2014 at 3:22 pm

    These tips are great Kat thank you!

    Reply
  34. Jennifer P. says

    July 14, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    Great tips! I work at a swimming pool, so of course I am all about pool safety! Learning to swim is one of the most important skills for anyone. It always shocks me when I see parents not taking precautions with their kids near the water, particularly at the beach on vacation when there are even more dangers than the pool, such as waves, currents etc. – it only takes a few seconds for a tragic accident to occur, whether the kids can swim or not, so always be watching (or swim where lifeguards are on duty).

    Reply
  35. Angela Mitchell says

    July 14, 2014 at 4:21 pm

    We swim in the lake daily at my parents house during the summer. It’s different than a pool so we require my daughter to always wear a life jacket at least until she is a stronger swimmer.

    Reply
  36. Gord says

    July 14, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    Thanks for the great tips.

    Reply
  37. Becky VanGinkel says

    July 15, 2014 at 9:04 am

    Thanks for all of the great tips!!! Very useful info.. I had no idea that a 9 year old is old enough to learn CPR.. looks like I need to get our 11 year old into a class ASAP!

    babydjs_mom@yahoo.com

    Reply
  38. Stacey Roberson says

    July 15, 2014 at 7:28 pm

    These are great tips! Another one would be to use the buddy system. I definitely believe it’a important to know CPR if you will be supervising.

    Reply
  39. Heidi C. says

    July 16, 2014 at 12:35 am

    These are very important tips. I would add that it is important that the pool be kept inaccessible when not in use via a locked fence, removable ladder, etc.

    Reply
  40. Tanis says

    July 16, 2014 at 3:54 pm

    Awesome tips as we are in our first summer with our son!

    Reply
  41. Emily Smith says

    July 16, 2014 at 6:54 pm

    All three of my boys take swimming lessons, wear lifevests and are not allowed to swim without an adult present.

    Reply
  42. Bernice says

    July 16, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    Thanks for the tips ,water safety is so important

    Reply
  43. Jessica Nirri says

    July 17, 2014 at 5:05 am

    Really loving this blog .. So many good tips and information ! My daughter really wants to learn to swim she’s only almost four although we could start lessons at this age I can’t afford to do so which sucks

    Reply
  44. ginette4 says

    July 20, 2014 at 8:16 am

    Great tips, I think you covered everything..being a pool owner we practiced safety measures at all times and you have to have your eyes on your children at all times because all it takes is on minute and tragedy can happen

    Reply
  45. Ocean says

    July 21, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    🙂

    Reply
  46. Janice Pittenger says

    July 22, 2014 at 6:07 am

    I’m not good at blogging, but doing this to get some entries.

    Reply
  47. Mathew Katz says

    July 22, 2014 at 7:51 am

    you really have to be on guard when you have kids and a swimming pool.

    Reply
  48. Debbie Epps Kennedy says

    July 22, 2014 at 10:01 am

    So sad how may tragedies happen every year….It only takes a second…

    Reply
  49. angel tupper says

    July 22, 2014 at 10:01 am

    Your right, it only takes a moment

    Reply
  50. Monique Brewer says

    July 22, 2014 at 10:03 am

    Thanks for the tips! My sister has a two year old. Its so important to be two steps ahead for safety reasons.

    Reply
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