TIPS AND GUIDE: WATER SAFETY FOR KIDS

Do you have plans already for this summer? If yes, what are your plans? Do you want to go on a picnic or just a stroll outdoors? Are you planning to go on a long drive with your kids or the whole family? There are a lot of activities to do when it’s sunny, but the activity that’s almost on everyone's list is swimming. 

When it’s hot, we all just want to freshen up, but we also don’t want to let the day slide by just staying at home and sitting in front of the AC. So, we go to the pool or the beach and seize the day with our little bundle of joy. 

Before you do, we want to give you some guidance and tips for your baby's safety in the pool or the beach. Yes, we know you want your kids to enjoy the summer, but their safety is still the top priority. 

Why is water safety for kids important? 

If you’ve taught your kids to swim beforehand, that’s good. However, we can’t be too lenient. We need to be extra vigilant.

Aside from injuries, drowning is also common in this age range. It can happen in a blink of an eye, specially babies can’t even reach the bottom with their feet because they are still tiny. Their limbs are also still not that strong. 

Humans are not fishes, although we can learn and be taught how to swim, we still need oxygen to breathe. We can’t breathe underwater. When too much water gets into our lungs, it can’t produce enough oxygen for our blood to transmit all over our body, then that’s when we start to feel like we’re choking or running out of air. 

Water safety for kids is important to avoid this scenario from happening when you go swimming with them not only this summer, but for the whole year long. 

Water Safety For Kids: Basic Tips

FIRST: SUPERVISION

This is the number one rule. Toddlers are still short and tiny which means they can drown even in shallow waters. 

Always watch your kids and make sure they are within you or your partner’s arm’s reach. You can either take turns watching the kids or swim at the same time, so that you can still have some me time on the beach where you can relax and bask in the sun, getting some tan. However, never leave your kids in the water unsupervised. 

As we said, drowning can happen in a blink of an eye. When your kids are in the water or around the water, if it’s your turn to watch over them make sure you're only focusing on them and not distracted by other things. The path around the pool area is slippery which may cause them to slip and fall in the water--or hit their head. As much as possible, don’t let your kids wander or run around the pool. 

SECOND: SWIMMING LESSONS

Teaching your kids to swim beforehand is really important and a big help when going swimming. It means, they have less chances of drowning, but do not leave them unattended when they are in the water still. You still need to watch over them every time. 

Kids can learn to swim even at an early age. Kids below 1 years old can learn water survival skills like rolling on their backs in the water and float. However, if your kid’s age ranges from 1 to 4, you can enroll them in swimming lessons--or you can take the lessons with them to spend more time with them and to make sure they are enjoying the lessons and experience. 

THIRD: LEARN CPR 

We all hope and want to expect that worse things don’t happen when we are in the pool or the beach. We don’t want to turn this supposed to be happy memory into a sad story. 

Parents should learn CPR just in case something bad happens, you can at least aid them until the ambulance or help arrives. 

Being trained or learning how to CPR is a must for parents. 

FOURTH: ALARMS AND BARRIERS

If you have pools in your home, make sure you install some alarms or even just chimes on the doors, windows and pool gates. This will help in alerting or letting you know that someone’s trying to access the pool or enter the pool. 

Barriers are really a big help for your kids not to have direct access with the pool. Make sure you fence your pool and the gate, all the doors, windows that lead to the pool area are locked every time, specially when you are not around or not near the area. 

Fences should be at least 4 feet high and should have no foot or hand rails for kids to climb on. If you want to know all the fencing guidelines, you can click here.

FIFTH: WHAT TO DO WHEN VISITING A BEACH

Beaches have dangerous currents and tides, and have water species that can cause harm to your kids like jellyfish and sea urchins. Before visiting a beach, make sure you check all the signboards and warnings such as jellyfish warning, rip currents and other hazards. 

Again, do not let your kids swim without your supervision. Make sure they are always in your vicinity. Also, remind them not to turn their back on the water because a wave may knock them over. 

SIXTH: WHAT TO DO WHEN AT THE WATER PARK 

We’ve told you the basic needs when going swimming or near the water--supervision and swimming lessons. 

When you are visiting a water park, you need to check the rides first. Make sure your toddlers or kids meet the requirements like height, weight or health requirements. You can also accompany them on the rides. 

Water’s depth and current may vary depending on the rides, it’s a parents responsibility and job to choose the rides that are safe for their kids. 

Protect your child from drowning. It’s good to have fun, but remember to be careful and extra vigilant. Happy summer, mummas! 

Here are some other great tips for water safety. 

Love + miracles,