Welcome to Summer! Let's hope that Mother Nature agrees.
With summer comes along heat, which in turn brings water. We all like to be cooled off whether it by sprinklers, water fights or pools. Sadly, an old co-worker of mine lost her 3 year old son on Father's Day
after he went into their pool unseen. No parent should have to endure
this loss.
I've compiled a list of safety tips for water. We all like to enjoy pools, let's do everything we can to protect our kids!
Please read and follow these precautions, not a single one of us wants to lose a child to water.
Water Safety Tips:
- SUPERVISION! Do not let children swim alone. If you have to go back into the house for something make them get out!
- Do not rely on tubes or rings for children who cannot swim. Invest in a well-fitting life jacket or have an adult in the water with them.
- If your ladder is removable take it down and put it out of reach when no one is swimming.
- Install a baby-gate or latch that small children cannot climb over or open. Install an alarm to alert you if someone is near the pool when not in use.
- Build a fence that is no less than 4 ft tall with no way for children to climb over.
- Children can drown in as little as 2 oz. of water. Dump out any standing water around the yard.
- Have children take swim lessons as soon as you can. Not only do they learn to swim, they learn rules and safety tips.
- Instill harsh consequences for horse play or bad behavior in the pool.
- All these tips are useful for bathtubs, hot tubs and nearby streams.
- As a parent, learn CPR, it can save someones life.
- If a child goes missing, check any water close by immediately. Call 911 if a child is found in the water unconscious.
Nothing replaces supervision. Kids under the age of 16 should NEVER swim alone, period.
