Hitting the pool is a great way to beat the heat and have some fun.
But there are a few things parents need to remember when taking their kids swimming this summer.
“The most important part of pool safety is preventing drownings,” explains Dr. Purva Grover, an emergency medicine physician for Cleveland Clinic Children’s. “I am a big proponent of what I call a designated watcher. Somebody has to be watching your kid at the pool.”
She says each child needs to have at least one adult supervisor — whether you’re at a community pool with a lifeguard or a private pool.
The person supervising should not be on their cellphone or distracted in any way.
She stressed staying alert is key because it can take a split second for a child to slip underwater, and they may not be able to cry for help.
If there is an emergency, knowing CPR is critical. The sooner resuscitation efforts are started, the better the survival outcomes are.
Above all, Grover urged everyone to be cautious at the pool — even experienced swimmers.
“Just because you are an experienced swimmer, and you have been swimming for X amount of years, does not mean you are aloof from these tragic consequences,” Grover says. “You still have to be careful at the pool.”
She added it’s also important to take breaks, stay hydrated and regularly apply sunscreen while enjoying a pool day.
Some other recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics include:
- All children and adults should learn to swim.
- Around the house, empty all buckets, bathtubs and wading pools immediately after use. If you have young children, keep the bathroom door closed, and use toilet locks to prevent access.
- Pools should be surrounded by a four-sided fence, with a self-closing and self-latching gate. Research shows pool fencing can reduce drowning risk by 50%. Additional barriers can include door locks, window locks, pool covers and pool alarms.
- Adults and older children should learn CPR.
- Everyone, children and adults, should wear US Coast Guard-approved life jackets whenever they are in open water, or on watercraft.
- Check the water first. If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first. This is especially important if your child is prone to wandering.
