It’s August, which means it’s prime swimming season. Kids love playing in water, but swimming pools can pose life-threatening dangers if appropriate precautions aren’t taken. Follow these safety tips to keep your kids swimming safely for the rest of the season and beyond.
Karen Randall, M.D. senior staff physician in Henry Ford Hospital’s Department of Emergency Medicine, stressed that children should never swim without a responsible caretaker keeping a close eye on them at all times. Don’t be tempted to let this job fall to another child, either.
“Most importantly, if a child is near a pool or body of water, there should always be an adult to supervise,” said Randall. “A child watching a child is never a good idea.”
Randall also offers the follow safety tips for pool-bound parents:
- Teach children to swim as early as possible.
- Learn CPR in case there is a problem.
- Have a plan for potential accidents and be mentally prepared should any problems occur.
- Remove rafts, balls and other toys from the pool and surrounding area immediately after use. This way, children won’t be tempted to enter the pool area unsupervised.
A cool dip in the pool is the perfect solution for a steamy August day, and kids love playing in pools. But remember: Make sure an adult is always available to supervise, and make sure your kids and their friends are playing it safe.