Children love swimming, and as a healthy and fun exercise that all family members can enjoy, there’s nothing better to do than swim on a warm day.
However, water safety is a huge concern for parents and carers of children who are yet to, or learning to, swim.
An important question for families to address is whether a pool is the best fit for you and your family given your unique lifestyle factors. So how do you go about addressing these needs?
1. Check on the sort of access your family will get to the pool
A great pool is one that can be easily accessed and enjoyed. However, there are lots of benefits in choosing specific points of access and limiting access through others.
For example, some families can limit unsupervised access to the garden and pool area by updating or changing locking and door handle mechanisms. This means that families can avoid a situation where a child makes a quiet escape into the backyard through a smooth sliding door, bi-fold door or out-of-the-way side access door.
Limiting immediate access to your pool with a proper pool gate is not to be questioned.
It’s also helpful to ensure that the pool is view able from inside the home, preferably at a focal spot, like the kitchen. A second set of eyes is always helpful when checking on children and water activities.
2. Are your children medically well enough to access pools and beaches?
Even the most pristine pool can harbor dangerous bacteria that can be harmful to babies and infants.
Young children are vulnerable to germs, especially in areas of communal use, your health practitioner shall be able to assess whether your infant is able to start exploring this fun family activity.
Another consideration to add is the temperature of the water you and your children are exposed to. Infants are not able to regulate their temperature in bodies of cool or hot water as well as older children or adults, so keeping touch-contact and monitoring their behavior is imperative.
3.Encourage safety and confidence at every age
A positive relationship with water often creates a good foundation to build confidence in water sports and activities.
Babies and infants, once given the all-clear from doctors, can enjoy a positive and fun relationship with the guidance of their caregivers when in the pool. In fact, parents can start early swimming lessons at home and practice important skills in the comfort of the home.
In fact, qualified swimming lessons from your local pool equips your children with new skills on swimming and water safety – and allows experts to check on the proficiency of your children.
4.Create on easy-to-follow risk management plan for you and your children
The best way to encourage safety around water is to encourage a risk management plan for you and your children. Getting everyone involved means greater peace of mind and creates mutual respect for an area that can be dangerous for young and vulnerable members of the family. Advice to reinforce with your family includes:
- Supervision from an adult or child over 16 years
- Not yelling/screaming in the pool unless summoning help
- Discouraging running around the wet areas
- Banning food, drink and glassware from the pool
- Tiding the pool toys after every swim
- Getting an adult to inflate arm bands and flotation devices
- Banning games that encourage holding your breath under water
- Encouraging children to use the bathroom before swimming
There’s no reason why the whole family can’t enjoy a well-deserved swim together. With some sensible design additions and making sure your fences and gate comply with safety standards, you and your children can enjoy a beautiful asset for years to come.
