As your kids get older, they’ll be heading to friend’s houses to use the pool (or inviting friends to your house for your pool) more and more often, and by helping them learn water safety for kids, you can set the foundation for safer pool fun. Most backyard pool safety tips focus on what you, the owner or parent can do, but your kids will play a vital role in their own water safety. By laying the groundwork for a safer way to enjoy pools responsibly, you’re giving them the tools they need to avoid scary, potentially dangerous situations.
Guiding Their Growth
As parents, it can be hard to let go. You can’t assume, however, that you will always be there to watch over them, so teaching good habits, like water safety for kids, is the best way to assure that you’re doing your best to protect them, even when you aren’t physically present. The behavioral patterns you set now will help them mature into responsible adults as they test and learn their limits.
How To Prepare Your Kids For Pool Safety
- Talk With Your Children About Making Good Decisions In The Face Of Peer Pressure – Kids are going to face peer pressure in every aspect of their lives, and as an adult, you know that it doesn’t end with childhood. When it comes to water safety for kids, however, giving into peer pressure can end in tragedy. Talk to them about deescalating or refusing to participate in dangerous situations friends encourage them to enter into.
Even kids that are usually very responsible can feel the pressure to impress their friends or go along with the crowd. From pushing people into the water unawares or diving into a shallow area of the pool to entering a pool area without permission, there is plenty of mischief that can leave a child hurt, paralyzed, or drowned. Talk to them about the importance of being brave enough to say no and become the voice of reason.
- Make Sure They Always Get Permission From An Adult – This can be as simple as sending you a text message asking if they can go to a public pool or may require checking not just with you but with a pool’s owner for permission. Part of water safety for kids is making sure parents know where their kids are and if their pool is being used.
This also gives the adults a chance to provide special or last-minute instructions. From curfews to a warning to check the pool water first, this opens a line of communication that helps keep them safer and you informed.
- Teach Them How To Avoid Common Pool-Area Hazards – Part of the backyard pool safety tips you impart should be the things that have no place around a backyard pool. This can include electrical accessories, glass containers, and anything that could be a tripping hazard. They should know how to watch for pets, and whether or not pets are allowed in or around the pool area.
- Help Them Understand The Safe Use Of Pool Safety Equipment – Pool safety covers and safety fences are an important part of water safety for the kids and pets in your household. If you’re allowing access to the pool or know they may be visiting a pool with these features, they should know the basics of operating them safely. Make sure they also understand how to use flotation devices and poles correctly to help others who may be experiencing a water emergency.
- Consider Enrolling Them In First Aid And CPR Classes – If an injury or emergency happens without you around, would your kids be prepared? Knowing the proper emergency interventions in the case of cuts, scrapes, near drownings, or other emergencies can mean the difference between life and death. If your children are old enough, classes with the American Red Cross can teach them more than just skills to improve water safety for kids, it can teach them skills that will help them in life.
- Encourage The Buddy System – They may roll their eyes, but using the buddy system helps ensure that everyone is safe and accounted for. Each kid has someone who is supposed to be watching out for them. This can help keep them from getting split up, ensure their activities are self-monitored, and prevent accidents such as pools being covered while a child is still in it.
- Assure They Have Proper Pool Attire And Accessories – The right pool clothing is essential, as it allows freedom of movement without becoming restrictive and water logged. Pool shoes can help them avoid injured feet, cover ups protect them from the sun, and appropriate towels help them get dry without becoming tripping or tangling hazards. Make sure any toys, flotation devices, and swimming accessories are made for a pool setting, that way you know they have safe, convenient equipment to keep their pool time fun.
Engage, Don’t Lecture
As you talk about water safety for kids, remember to ask for and listen to their thoughts. Your children know the situations they’re most likely to encounter, and helping them follow your backyard pool safety tips under those conditions keeps them safer. Consider providing hypothetical situations to help them hone their decision making skills, so that when you aren’t around, they know exactly how you expect them to react.
With a little planning and preparation, your kids can be pool-safety ready before they even leave to visit a pool. If you own a backyard pool and would like to speak to an expert about how you can make a safer pool area for your kids, pets, and guests, fill out our contact form and a specialist will be in touch. Protect your loved ones with AquaSafe Unlimited today.
