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.
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 Check the labels for expiration dates when the weather begins to warm up each year and replace outdated ones.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!
Kaitlin Gardner started AnApplePerDay.com to further her passion for a family friendly, green living lifestyle. She is married to her college sweetheart and lives in Pennsylvania. She and her husband enjoy going for long hikes, to get out and enjoy nature. She is working on her first book about ways to live an eco-friendly, healthy, natural life.
Eva Mitton-Urban says
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
Kristine Ewald says
Thank you for these tips! My daughter is 3 and its all good to know!
Kayla Schmitke says
Thank you for all the great tips!! Can never be too safe around water that’s for sure!
Crystal Englot says
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!
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
That’s on thing I think all children and adults should learn swimming safety. It was a priority in our household.
Doris Calvert says
It’s so easy to drown even in a few inches of water so this is a good point
Suzie M says
It all happens so fast
Everyone should take swimming lessons
michelle tremblett says
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 :/
jenn huey says
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
Janet W. says
These are all great tips! We made sure to always load my grandsons up, and ourselves, with sunscreen to protect our skin.
Esperanza Gailliard says
I take it easy with my kids and often times I take extra precaution for skin.
Tom Bellamy says
These are excellent tips for the three year old twins who love the pool.
JaimeeM says
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.
Cryssie Cherry says
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.
Wanda Tracey says
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.
Teresa Claire says
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.
courtney b says
these are great tips- teaching kids how to swim is SO important !:) im so afraid of drowning
Rebecca T says
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.
Miranda Sherman says
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.
Darlene Schuller says
Children and water such a dangerous combination.. can never be safe enough.
kathy downey says
These are all great tips,thanks for sharing you can never be to safe
Claire Rheinheimer says
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!
Bev says
It is definitely important to remind everyone of water safety for the summer.
nikki robak says
thanx for the tips drowning is one of the number one ways kids die
DARLENE W says
All of the grandkids take swimming lesson but at no time are they ever left alone by the pool
tammy ta says
Great post-thanks
Tannis W says
Thanks for these tips. I think it’s also important to always watch your kids, and not expect a lifeguard to be watching them.
jan says
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.
Nena Sinclair says
These are great tips that everyone should read and then re-read every summer!
Erika Birrell says
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!
Tara E says
Great tips. Always having to remind mine to be careful!
Nina Murray says
swimming lessons are an important part of this also.
caryn s says
These tips are great Kat thank you!
Jennifer P. says
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).
Angela Mitchell says
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.
Gord says
Thanks for the great tips.
Becky VanGinkel says
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
Stacey Roberson says
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.
Heidi C. says
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.
Tanis says
Awesome tips as we are in our first summer with our son!
Emily Smith says
All three of my boys take swimming lessons, wear lifevests and are not allowed to swim without an adult present.
Bernice says
Thanks for the tips ,water safety is so important
Jessica Nirri says
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
ginette4 says
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
Ocean says
🙂
Janice Pittenger says
I’m not good at blogging, but doing this to get some entries.
Mathew Katz says
you really have to be on guard when you have kids and a swimming pool.
Debbie Epps Kennedy says
So sad how may tragedies happen every year….It only takes a second…
angel tupper says
Your right, it only takes a moment
Monique Brewer says
Thanks for the tips! My sister has a two year old. Its so important to be two steps ahead for safety reasons.