How to stay safe around the pool
Having children changes everything. There’s all that crying, the restless nights and not sleeping! Basically the refusing to cooperate anymore, the temper tantrums … and then there’s the child to consider. But we’re not here to make jokes about the struggles of parenthood. We’re here to talk safety whilst holidaying with the family. Specifically, how to stay safe around the pool with your kids on your trip.
There’s no denying that the pool is a bit of free child care. You get to sit with a drink while keeping one eye on the children as they climb out of the pool and jump back in, over, and over, and over, and over. That’ll wear them out in time for bed, too. Wonderful.
Of course, from time to time, injuries happen. If you or a family member experience a personal injury, you may need to speak to a lawyer. Now let’s look at family safety tips around the pool.
Inflatable Armbands
Children love the water. They are convinced that they can swim. Possibly they will tell you to your face that they can swim. They will then also follow up their claims with something like “but maybe I should use the armbands today in case I get tired”. Children who cannot swim are a danger to themselves, and this is one time where you have to be cruel to be kind. Make sure inflatable armbands are worn in the pool (and around the pool in case they fall in! Mark out an area in which they must wear the armbands.
Teach children how to swim to the side of the pool
For some children, learning how to swim is a long haul. I personally know adults who still do not feel confident in a pool if they cannot touch the bottom with their feet. Despite loving the water, some children just can’t swim very well. This means that you have a task on your hands to ensure their safety. Instead of trying to teach them to swim properly (and probably getting nowhere, hour after hour), teach your children to kick and ‘bob’ to the side of the pool.
As extreme as it sounds, teaching them to swim the few feet to the side of the pool underwater is not a terrible idea. When kids can’t swim, they kick and flail and get nowhere as they focus on keeping their head above water. But underwater, that kicking can propel them. The safest bet is always to supervise your children around the pool.
As someone who has taught people with physical disabilities how to swim, one thing I advise parents is to teach their child to float on their back. Children will naturally float (due to their body composition) when they lie on their backs with arms and legs outstretched. Many children initially don’t like being in this position because water gets in their ears, but once they become accustomed to the strange sensation, then it is usually very easy for them to learn to float safely. With their mouths and noses above water, the risk of drowning is greatly reduced when compared to them trying to swim if they have not fully mastered that skill.