Whether it’s endless games of Marco Polo in the pool or jumping over waves at the beach, water is central to summer fun. Even if your child has had formal swimming lessons, keep in mind the potential dangers and put safety first.
Follow these 10 tips from LauraLe Dyner, M.D., pediatrician at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation in Los Altos, to keep the entire family safe and healthy while enjoying water activities.
Children between the ages of 1 and 4 are the most frequent drowning victims in swimming pool accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). One of the best ways to reduce risk is to use pool fencing.
Make sure your pool is entirely surrounded with at least a 4-foot impenetrable fence that includes a self-closing and self-latching gate, Dr. Dyner says. Pool gates should open outward from the pool and be in good working order. Keep gates closed and locked at all times when you’re not supervising. When using the pool, remove the pool cover before anyone enters it. Don’t use a cover in place of a safety fence.
The suction of drains, pipes and other openings in pools and spas can be strong enough to trap children and possibly drown them. You can prevent drain entrapment accidents by making sure you’re using a compliant drain cover, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Teach children to tie back long hair, and do not let them wear dangling clothing or jewelry when swimming in a pool or sitting in a spa.
If you have a pool, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends you establish these pool rules and insist everyone follow them:
“It’s very important to actively watch your children when they’re in the water – both for their safety and your peace of mind,” Dr. Dyner says. “You can remind them to follow the pool rules and not push others underwater.”
She says it’s critical that supervising adults know how to swim, too. If they can’t swim, they shouldn’t be supervising.
Formal swimming lessons and water-safety skills training are a must for all ages. In fact, the AAP supports swimming lessons for children as young as 1, if they are ready to swim.
“There’s some evidence that 1- to 4-year-old children may be less likely to drown if they’ve had some swimming lessons,” Dr. Dyner says. “But the age of a child who’s ready to swim varies. Consider your children’s abilities and limitations before signing them up for a swim class.”
Even if your child has taken lessons, he or she still needs to be supervised when in the water. Keep your young child within arm’s reach so you can catch hold of him or her if needed.
Nearly 326,000 cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals every year, and 88 percent occur at home, according to the American Heart Association. Dr. Dyner says everyone should learn CPR but it’s especially important for parents, family members and other caretakers of children.
Pool accidents can result in an unconscious child who’s not breathing. CPR in these situations can save a life. Permanent brain damage can begin just a few minutes after someone stops breathing. Without resuscitation, that person won’t survive.
Never rely on inflatable swimming aids and other pool toys to keep someone afloat, Dr. Dyner says. They can deflate at any time and leave you or your child stranded. Instead, keep a safety ring with a rope beside the pool and within reach in case a floatation device is needed.
Whether you’re on a boat, kayak or canoe, everyone should be wearing a life jacket, Dr. Dyner says. Life jackets for young children should have a flotation collar that will help keep their heads upright and their faces out of the water. Adults can set a good example by always wearing their life jackets, and making sure everyone’s life jackets fit properly.
“Swimming in nature is very different from swimming in a pool,” Dr. Dyner says. “Children need to be taught and understand that oceans, rivers and lakes have currents and variable depths of water.”
Visit beaches that have signs indicating they are swim safe, have lifeguards on duty and no rip tides. Don’t let your child swim in fast-moving water – such as in a river – and remember it’s unsafe to dive if you don’t know how deep the water is.
Dr. Dyner recommends updating emergency contacts in your cell phone, and keeping your phone within arm’s reach. If you plan to go boating or to the beach, you can buy a water-proof case with a carabiner or lanyard and keep the phone with you.