The weather is starting to warm up and pool season is quickly approaching. Swimming pools across Southern California will quickly start to fill up as families flock to the water to take a break from the heat.
Swimming pools can get crowded, and children can be rowdy. Whenever your child is around water, there is always some level of danger involved.
To keep your child safe at the pool this summer, follow our three best safety tips.
Be Vigilant
When your children are in the pool, you must remain vigilant. This means not leaving the pool area at any time without having someone in place to watch your children for you.
When your children are young and are new to swimming, it is best to keep them within arm’s reach at all times. That way, if they suddenly go under the water, you will be there to scoop them up quickly. As your kids grow older and become more proficient swimmers, you can increase the distance, but you should be watching your children at all times.
Think of yourself as the guardian of the pool. It is your responsibility to remain vigilant to protect not only your children from drowning, but others as well.
Set Rules
It is important to set boundaries for your child when they near the pool. These rules should also include outlining the behavior that is expected while they are on the pool deck.
Here are some ground rules:
• No running on the pool deck
• No diving into the pool
• No roughhousing or grabbing onto other children in the water
• Do not go in the pool without an adult present (you should never leave a child by a pool without an adult)
It is also important to set rules for yourself while your children are swimming. This can include not checking your phone, making snacks or anything else that can take your attention away from the pool when you should be watching your child swimming.
Start Swim Lessons
One of the best ways to prevent drowning is to make sure your kids are enrolled in swimming lessons. Swim lessons are not just another summer activity; they can and should happen year round.
Your child can start taking individual and group classes as young as three years old. There are also parent and me classes for children younger than three. These classes are designed to provide children with a safe and comfortable learning environment where they can begin to learn basic swimming skills in the comfort of their parent’s or guardian’s arms.
Did you know that 2014 was one of the worst years for drowning in Orange County? Every drowning is preventable.
Learn how to keep your children safe around the water by attending our Orange County Drowning Prevention Task Force meeting on Thursday, March 19, at the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center at 5:30 p.m.