Pool Safety for Kids (and You Adults Too!)

I don’t know what is happening in your neck of the woods but here in Middle Tennessee, the neighborhood pools are opening right and left… and course, the kids are screaming to get to the pool and get summer going! As it gets hot, swimming is a relaxing way to cool off and beat that heat, but it isn’t relaxing for long if you and your kids aren’t on the same page about summer safety. So, before you head out to buy the board shorts and sunscreen, make sure to remember some basic pool safety tips. Yep, you have probably heard them before but a refresher course is always a good idea.

Pool Safety For Kids

Never Allow Children To Swim Alone

Under no circumstance should a child ever be allowed to swim in a pool alone – or a lake or a creek or any large body of water. I don’t even need to mention the ocean, do I!? If children are very young or not good swimmers, then life jackets or floats on their arms should be always be used.

Enroll Children In Swimming Lessons

Learning to swim is an important thing for younger children, but people of all ages can get swimming lessons to learn to swim properly (it is never too late to teach an old dolphin new tricks – or something like that!) Lessons can be fun and done as a group activity, or with mom and dad. Plus, it is much easier to learn to swim at a young age so don’t skip the swimming lessons.

Understand The Basics Of Lifesaving

It can take just a few seconds for a person, especially a child, to begin drowning in a swimming pool. It is hugely important for pool safety that you, or anyone in your family who is around a pool, knows the basics of lifesaving. If an emergency happens, simply knowing CPR or how to get water out of someone’s lungs can literally save a life and buy precious time until the proper help can arrive.

Make And Enforce Swimming Pool Rules

Swimming pool rules such as “No Diving” or “No Running” are put in place for a reason and that reason is to save lives. Diving is a safety risk if done in shallow water and running on slick surfaces can result in someone falling around the pool or falling into the pool. Any rules that are established should be strictly enforced to keep all the family members around the pool safe. And if your neighborhood pool doesn’t really have great rules, then make up your own and tell the kids that unless the rules are followed you will all be headed home… and the only water fun will be with the backyard hose!

Keep Away From Pool Filters And Drains

Pool filters and drains often have a suction effect that can trap smaller individuals. It is important for children and young adults to keep away from these areas in the pool to avoid any kind of accident and never stick your hand or arm inside these areas. Small fingers can easily get stuck or cut or worse.

There you go, five simple reminders about pool safety for kids before you head out to swim and play pool games. Do you have any great tips or rules for the summertime water fun? If so, we would love to hear them in the comments below! Happy and safe swimming!

Rob Youngblood is an Emmy Award Winning TV Host, Keynote Speaker, Communications Coach, and Single Dad. Basically – A Guy Who Talks for a Living! Learn more about him at www.theyoungbloodeffect.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.