Swim Safe! 5 Community Pool Safety Tips for Parents
Drowning is the nations fourth leading cause of death in children under five. In fact, an estimated 260 children under five years of age drown each year in residential swimming pools and spas, reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. At Direct Auto Insurance, we want to make sure that your spring and summer is a safe one. Join us as we honor Safe Swimming Week May 22-28 with important pool and water safety tips for parents.
Tip #1: Never leave your child unattended in or near the water.
Don’t turn your back, walk away, or step inside for even one moment when your kids are swimming or hanging out near the pool. As this video from PoolSafely.gov warns, drownings can occur faster than a world record. You might think you’ll be okay dashing away to use the restroom or grab some food, but it only takes a few seconds for something terrible to happen. Make sure there is always an adult in charge of watching the children at the community pool – and don’t assume someone is!
Tip #2: Teach your child how to swim or invest in swim lessons.
One of the best ways to keep a child safe in the community pool is by ensuring they’re a competent and strong swimmer. Sign them up for swim lessons or dedicate time to teaching them to swim. The more skilled and comfortable they are in the water, the safer they’ll be.
Tip #3: Show children where they can swim and where they cannot.
When you go to the community pool, set clear boundaries for your children based on their skill level. For example, don’t let any beginners enter the deep end, and make sure they know exactly where that begins. Be firm with your children, and make sure they know that there are consequences for rule breaking.
Tip #4: Teach children to stay away from drains.
While there are new laws and regulations in place to make pool drains safer, there is still potential danger. Strong swimmers have drowned after getting caught in pool drains, and the suction can create a fatal situation. Make sure children understand that the pool drain is not a toy, and they should avoid swimming close to it.
Tip #5: Learn CPR.
Even if you’re incredibly careful around the pool, accidents can happen. Knowing CPR can be the difference between a scary incident and a tragic one. Sign up for a CPR class at your local American Red Cross, and you can feel confident and smart if something happens.
Follow Direct Auto Insurance on Facebook and Twitter for more great safety tips. Share this post with anyone who can’t get enough pool time, and help friends and family members stay safe as swimming season begins!
Did you know Direct offers a Safe Driver Discount? We love helping customers finds ways they can save. For more information, give us a call at 1-877-463-4732.
Keep the Summer Fun Coming!
