It’s summertime and the heat is on full blast. It’s a great time to let your little ones have some fun in the sun and water. Slip and slides, water hoses, sprinklers and a pool to take a dip in can all be great options.
Not everyone has the space, the budget or the ability to have a large pool, but a kiddie pool can be just as enjoyable for children. Before you let your kids go free in their child-size pool though, it’s important to know and follow some crucial safety tips. Let’s take a look at some do’s and don’ts below.
- DO stay close. It doesn’t take a large pool or amount of water to drown. In fact, drowning can occur in just three centimeters of water. Therefore, you should always be close with eyes on the water. If you need to run in the house for a minute, have your kiddos exit the pool and come along with you.
- DON’T add chlorine or bleach to the water. While this is normally how you keep pools disinfected, the CDC warns against using such chemicals for small kiddie pools. Instead, dump the water each day it’s used, remove any debris, rinse it well, and let it air dry.
- DO dump the water after use. Yes, we mentioned this in the tip above, but dumping the water does more than keep the pool clean. It also prevents your little ones – and even your pets – from wandering over and falling in.
- DON’T let children who are sick or who have diarrhea into the water. This can contaminate the water and make other children sick.
- DO add a barrier. Even if you diligently empty the water after every use, it can rain. Or your child might turn on the water hose and refill it without your knowledge. Adding a small fence or some type of barrier can prevent this from happening. And it might be required in your area, so you’ll want to check your local laws.
- DON’T add slippery fun extras to the water. It can be a really fun idea to add soap or bubbles to the water and watch your little one splash around. However, it can also be dangerous. Anything slippery can increase their chances of drowning. Think about when you were a kid and took a bubble bath. It doesn’t take much to slide around – and sometimes down – in the water when there is a slippery substance.
- DO prepare yourself and your child. It’s never a bad time for parents and guardians to learn CPR. And children can always benefit from swimming lessons. Also, be sure that your little one knows the rules for water safety.
- DON’T run around the pool. Like any other pool, running around a kiddie pool can lead to falling in and drowning. Teach your kids not to run around the pool and set a good example by not doing it yourself when you are playing with and chasing them.
- DO add safety equipment. Kiddie pools can be anything from just a few inches high to a few feet high. And since it doesn’t take much water for a child to drown, it’s essential to take the necessary precautions. A life vest is always a good idea for children who aren’t yet strong swimmers. And an alarm either on your pool fence or your door can alert you if your child is heading outdoors or too close to the pool.
- DON’T leave toys in the pool. Not only can this cause the toys to become contaminated, but it can also lead children to lean into the pool to get their favorite things out. Eliminate that temptation by taking toys out and kept far away from the pool.
- DO have fun. Swimming provides many benefits for your child and can give you something enjoyable to do together. It’s also a great way to beat the heat, so let the good times roll.