12 Tips to Help Parents Keep Kids Safe at the Pool

Pictures of families swimming together with a big splash of water in the background.

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Swimming!

While most of us know what we think is required to keep our kids safe at pools, it’s always good to have a refresher before heading out to the pool!

According to the CDC…

  • drowning kills more children ages 1-4 than anything else besides birth defects

  • for kids ages, 1-14 drowning is the 2nd leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. behind car crashes which is the #1 cause.

Drowning can be silent and swift… happening within 30 seconds.

I asked 4 lifeguards in my family, who have guarded pools for collectively 39 years… What is the best safety advice you would give parents headed out to the pool with the family?

Here is what they said…

Parents must practice

ACTIVE SUPERVISION

  1. Do not get distracted by your cell phone. Consider using airplane mode while you are at the pool with kids.

  2. Always keep a child 5 and under within arm’s reach near any pool or water.

  3. Keep the numbers to… 2 little kids per 1 adult.

  4. Do NOT rely on floatation devices (like arm floats or tubes) to keep your little kids safe. Stay with them.

  5. Do not get distracted by conversations. Always be with and watch your children even while talking with other adults.

  6. Talk with your kids before going to the pool and set expectations about safety…

    • no running

    • no diving in shallow areas etc

  7. Parents, you are your kid’s best lifeguard!

    • Lifeguards are busy guarding ALL the people using the pool. You are your child’s first lifeguard and consider the pool guards to be your lifeguard backups! (The best backups we can have as parents!)

      • Swim with your kids.

      • Keep them close by

      • Make sure they are following pool rules

  8. Lifeguards may ask to give your older kids a swim test if they appear to be struggling in the pool. This is for their safety!

  9. Extra pool day advice…

    1. Call ahead to make sure the pool is open, especially if you are leaving older kids off at the pool. Some reasons pools close…

      • Weather and lightening

      • Swim meets/lessons

      • Toxins or waste in water

    2. Shower before and after entering a pool

    3. Wear the proper swim attire, and bring extra swim diapers for little ones!

      Some suggestions to help everyone enjoy the pool…

  10. Go with a group of parents and take turns being the ACTIVE PARENT SUPERVISORS so other parents can…

    • use their phone to take photos or respond to texts

    • have conversations

    • use the restroom

    • enjoy lunch or snacks

  11. If alcohol is present…

    • designate parents who will not drink

    • set limits on drinking for the safety of kids and adults

  12. Learning CPR is also an excellent tool for parents!

  13. Get a babysitter and enjoy the pool as an adult(s)…

Health and WellnessKristin BuchtelPool Safety, Parenting Pool Tips, Lifeguarding, Safety Tips, Family Safety, Noteworthy Parenting1 Comment