Swimming Safety Tips

Last updated 10 months ago

When the weather heats up outside, it’s time to get in the pool and enjoy summer swimming! To help your child stay safe while in the pool, there are some important strategies to remember about reducing the risks posed by water. Drowning is among the most common adolescent injuries and is a leading cause of fatality in America’s younger population. Below are some ways in which you can ensure that drowning and other aquatic injuries don’t occur.

Know your child’s swimming ability: If your child is not a confident or strong swimmer, encourage her to stay away from the deep end of the pool. Young children should wear inflatable flotation gear to help them adjust to swimming. You might also consider swimming lessons to help your child move with more skill in the water.
Never let children swim unsupervised: An adult should always be actively engaged in monitoring children when they swim. Knowing CPR is beneficial in the event an emergency does occur, and courses are available to help you acquire the necessary training for CPR certification. Residential pools should be surrounded by fences with locked gates so that the water cannot be accessed when an adult is not present. Even the shallow end of the pool can pose a drowning risk, so don’t assume that kids in shallow water can swim unsupervised.
Set rules for all swimmers to follow: Make sure the rules for swimmers are clear to everyone, and include rules concerning the area surrounding the pool. Avoid falls and spills into the pool by discouraging rough play and running near the pool. Only swim when the area is well lit and the weather is clear so that the risk of an accident is minimal.

Understand more about summer safety and get tips to keep your kids healthy with Dr. Nan’s Pediatric Solutions. Schedule an appointment or get health information over the phone by calling (620) 330-8188.