Kiddipedia
Children are automatically drawn to water. They love to splash, float and just basically have fun in it. That’s why water safety is very important and is no laughing matter. Anyone, even children (who knows how to swim) can have a water-related accident.
To keep our children safe, Olympic Swim Coach Laurie Lawrence answers some of our questions about pool safety this summer.
What are the things I need to consider to make sure my children are safe around the pool area?
I’ve included some of my top tips for ensuring kids stay safe around the pool during the holidays:
- Ensure your pool is safe and secure – Check that all gates, fences and latches are in perfect working condition.
- Ensure no climbables near the fence – Any furniture that leans against the pool fence can act as a ladder for young kids to scale fences without parental knowledge. Ensure the space around the pool is clear at all times.
- Maintain pool water health – Make sure your pool water is healthy and clear.
- Reduce distraction and remove glass – No glass or drinks should be around the pool when in use. Don’t get distracted by your phone when children are in the pool area.
- Nominate a Responsible Pool Person to supervise – This long weekend, be sure to nominate one or multiple people to act as a Responsible Pool Person and oversee those in and around the pool. People can pick up their free Responsible Pool Person hat from Poolwerx stores until 27 January
We all need to be diligent in keeping our pools – and the people in it – safe. Poolwerx’s Responsible Pool Person campaign helps ensure someone is always supervising, without distraction.
What are the important things I need to teach my children about water safety?
The most important thing to teach young children when it comes to water safety is to never swim without a parent or adult supervising. Teach them that the pool is not a place for children without someone there to watch out for them.
It’s also important for parents to enroll their children in swimming lessons as soon as their children are eligible. Children are able to start formal lessons anytime between the ages of four and six months and should be consistent when it comes to attendance. Sticking with lessons will ensure your child has the skills they need, should an accident ever occur.
What are the usual causes of drowning in children that I need to be aware of?
Last year 19 children under the age of 5 years old drowned, and 12 of those deaths occured in backyard pools. Each one of those children were able to get into the pool area due to a faulty gate, fence or latch system. Paying particular attention to your fencing is critical in ensuring your child’s safety.
Supervision in general is the key in preventing drowning for young children. Ensure you are supervising correctly by being within arms reach of the child and ensuring there are no distractions (such as phones or books) taking your focus away from the children.
Having clean water is also something to be aware of with young swimmers. Having unbalanced chemical levels within the pool can irritate eyes and create a dangerous swimming situation. Be sure to regularly check your pool water to keep your family healthy and happy.
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