Swimming in chlorinated pools and mucky lakes and oceans can do a number on your child's eyes. Salt, chemicals, pollutants and bacteria can make their eyes red, itchy and irritated--and even prone to infection. Swim goggles, which fit over the head with adjustable straps and generally have plastic lenses to cover the eyes, can give them the protection they need from the elements. What is more, wearing swim goggles gives your child the visibility he needs for swimming underwater, which is great for avoiding smashing into pool walls while lap swimming or playing games of underwater tag. Like sunglasses, swim goggles come in a variety of styles, lens shapes, tints and, of course, price points.
What to Look for
Proper fit is essential if you want your child to use his swim goggles. Let's face it, you wouldn't happily don something that left painful indentations in your face or leaked water every time you took a dive under. Before you buy, have your child try on the goggles. They should hug his face comfortably without digging into the skin. Slight suction around the eyes helps to ensure water will stay out while he swims. Also check to see if the strap and nose piece are easy to adjust: if you have to pull, tug or loop things through whachamacallits, look for a different pair. If your child will be swimming outdoors, buy goggles with UV protection in the lenses to protect his eyes from sun glare and damage.
Common Pitfalls
Good goggles generally cost good money. But if your child will be using them infrequently, or he is famous for losing things, you might want to opt for a less expensive (albeit, still well-fitting) pair. Also, goggles come in children's and adult sizes. If your child has a very large head, avoid the kid versions and try fitting him with adult goggles. And while fog-resistant lenses are a real convenience, you don't necessarily have to shell out the extra bucks for them. You can keep your child's lenses clear with anti-fog drops or even a little saliva smeared on the inside of the goggle lens. Buying goggles from a specialty swim or sports store means that there is apt to be knowledgeable personnel around who can help you fit your child with the best goggles in your price range.
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