Child Safety: Swimming Pools

Every parent will tell you that it is definitely a full time job. There are no vacations, no sick days, and no one else to pass the buck too. Even if you have a nanny or a sitter, your kids will always be on your mind. At work, in the car, in church, asleep, no matter where you may be, you will always find yourself wondering if they are okay.

There ate many dangers around the home that must be taken care of. You buy outlet plugs to protect little fingers, cabinet latches and locks, baby gates, and baby monitors, just to name a few. Surprisingly, one of the most overlooked things could be the most deadly, the swimming pool. Even if your child is the best swimmer in the world, the pool still can prove to be a deadly place for him. It is important that you learn how to make it less of a risk for your child.

One of the most obvious ways of protecting your children is to make certain they are never left unattended at the pool. There should always be an adult within arms reach, preferably one that is a proficient swimmer and has been trained in CPR. Even if the child knows how to swim, or is wearing a life jacket, or if the water is shallow, don’t make the assumption that he is okay, because he may not be.

It is a good idea to have life saving equipment, and a portable phone available at the pool as well. In case of emergency, it is better to have everything readily available, than to lose precious time getting what you need from inside the house.

Make certain that all caregivers know these precautions as well. You depend on them to care for your children when you are not there, and they need to be able to handle any emergency that may arise, or you have to make the pool off limits unless you are there. Remind them that it is not okay to leave your child at the pool even for a moment, as it only takes a matter of seconds for a child just to drown in the bathtub, let alone a pool.