A swimming trip can be a relaxing way to get exercise and cool off in the summer months, but parents and caregivers need to pay special attention to safety when children are around water. Nearly 1,000 children drown every year, according to The Nemours Foundation, and simple safety measures can make the difference between life and death.
General Safety Measures
A responsible adult should monitor children the entire time they are playing in water. The American Red Cross warns caregivers to avoid distractions and watch their children even if a lifeguard is present. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you should keep children under 5 no more than an arm's length away. You can enroll your child in swimming lessons, but do not leave a child unsupervised around water just because she can swim. Young children and those who are not strong swimmers should wear a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, according to the American Red Cross.
Pool Safety
Make sure children understand and follow all pool rules. If your child is swimming at a water park, check the posted age and size requirements before you let him on a ride or in a pool. If you have a pool at your home, keep a telephone and a life preserver or other rescue equipment nearby. Keep your children away from the pool when you are not supervising them. The pool should be completely separated from your home and yard by a fence that is at least 4 feet high on all sides, and gates should close and latch automatically, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Make sure young children cannot reach the latches. Once children are finished swimming, remove all toys from the pool so they do not try to retrieve them.
Open Water Safety
It is more difficult to predict what lies under the water when you go for a swim in a lake, ocean or other open body of water. As always, closely supervise children while they swim. Make sure children wear water shoes or other foot protection so they are not injured by rocks or trash under the water. Safe Kids USA, a nationwide group of organizations that works to prevent childhood injury, advises parents to warn children against diving into open bodies of water and make them aware of dangers like uneven ground, currents and undertows. Look for designated swimming areas, and avoid areas you are not familiar with.
Babies and Swimming
Babies require special care on a swimming trip. You should have your hands on your baby at all times when he is in water. Babies are also more likely to spread, and get sick from, waterborne illnesses. The Nemours Foundation advises against allowing babies and children who are not toilet trained in public swimming pools. If you do bring your baby in the pool, change his diaper frequently in an area away from the pool, and clean him well. Wash your baby with soap and water after swimming, and dry his ears to prevent infection. If your baby begins to shiver or if his lips turn blue, remove him from the water, dry him and keep him wrapped in a towel, according to The Nemours Foundation.
Emergency Preparation
Quick action is important when a child goes under water. An adult skilled in CPR should be present whenever children are swimming, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. If a child is missing during a swimming trip or in any area close to water, check the water first, according to the American Red Cross. Remove him from the water, and call 911 immediately. If the child is not breathing, you should start CPR promptly.
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