Water Safety Tips For Kids: Nine Golden Rules
In the blink of an eye, what was meant to be fun swimming day with your kids can turn sour. Due to their small stature, kids can drown in water as shallow as 6 centimetres (2 inches). This means that in addition to pools, children can drown in relatively smaller water containers such as troughs, bathtubs and so on.
According to studies, drowning is the leading cause of accidental deaths for children below the age of five. Therefore, it is imperative to closely monitor the activities of your kid when they are playing with water.
According to studies, drowning is the leading cause of accidental deaths for children below the age of five. Therefore, it is imperative to closely monitor the activities of your kid when they are playing with water.
Some of the precautionary measures one must observe to ensure the safety of their children in water include:
1) Regularly Keeping an Eye on the Children
As mentioned above, the small stature of children increases their vulnerability to drowning by a significant margin. Unfortunately, it takes less than 30 seconds for a child to drown. Often, the drowning process is swift and unnoticeable to individuals who lack prior experience in spotting such situations. Hence, the best way to avoid such mishaps is to constantly keep an eye on the swimmer.
2) Enrol your Children for Swimming Lessons
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the minimum recommended age for taking swimming lessons is four years. However, it is important to note that children still require guidance while swimming, regardless of their proficiency in the activity.
3) Parents Should Learn CPR
Colloquially known as the ‘kiss of life’, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been used for long to administer first aid. After saving a child from drowning, the ambulance might not arrive immediately. During this waiting period, CPR can save the victim's life. This is because CPR ensures that blood flow is continuous, preventing the possibility of unconsciousness.
4) Do Not Entirely Trust Floaters, Water Wings, Pool Noodles, and so on
One of the most prevalent mistakes parents make concerning the safety of kids in water is over-reliance on floatation devices. Ideally, such tools should be used to assist in swimming, but not as a substitute for life jackets. If the child is no expert at swimming, the floatation devices should be used under the supervision of parents. Otherwise, the toys must be kept away from the pool because they might lure the child into the water.
5) Assign an Adult Lifeguard in Crowded Areas
It is almost impossible to pay continuous attention to children in crowded areas such as parties, gatherings, or the beach. Eventually, you will get distracted. In such instances, it is advisable to take turns while watching the children. This ensures that the kids are under the watch of an adult throughout the event.
6) Switch Off your Phone
Nowadays, human beings are closely attached to their mobiles. However, as noted earlier, drowning is a very swift process, meaning that taking a phone call is a sufficient distraction. To avoid this, it is recommendable to switch off the phone.
7) Avoid Alcohol (or other strong drugs)
Drunkenness is closely associated with making the wrong decisions. Likewise, some drugs (including medicinal) usually take a toll on the human body. Thus, it is advisable to avoid taking such substances before going out swimming. If the drugs are mandatory, you should cancel the swimming activity.
8) Secure the Swimming Pool
Naturally, kids are defiant about orders issued by their parents. As a result, it is important to detach the swimming pool area form the main house and secure its perimeter with a considerably high fence. This prevents the child from entering the pool without the assistance of a grown-up.
9) Make Older Children Buddy Up
Where applicable, parents can pair older children with their younger siblings during swimming activities. The older kid has the responsibility of tracking the movements of their younger counterpart. Notably, this is only a supplement, not a substitute.
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Continue Reading:
Do We Need UV Protection in Singapore?
Top Six Safety Tips for Taking Out Baby in the Sun
Finding the Right Neoprene Thermal Wetsuit for Children
Five Tips on How to Choose a Mask and Snorkel Set
Obviously, kids are playful and swimming is a fun way to ensure they have a good time. However, their safety is more important – which is why you should understand how you can keep it safe for the kids!
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Continue Reading:
Do We Need UV Protection in Singapore?
Top Six Safety Tips for Taking Out Baby in the Sun
Finding the Right Neoprene Thermal Wetsuit for Children
Five Tips on How to Choose a Mask and Snorkel Set