Swimming Safety Tips to Keep in Mind

HOUSTON (KIAH) – Many pools will reopen this Memorial Day. And if you’re considering taking your little ones swimming, there are a few safety tips parents should keep in mind.

“There should be an adult water supervisor within reach of your children when they are in a public pool or even a personal pool,” said Richard So, MD, a pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic Children’s. Dr. So said it only takes a second for an accident to happen.

According to the CDC, more children ages one to four die from drowning than from any other cause of death. To avoid this kind of tragedy, it is recommended that children take swimming lessons from the age of four. Or even sooner if they live near a swimming pool or pond, or if they own a boat.

As for life jackets, these must be approved by the Coast Guard. Dr So said for anyone with a swimming pool, it is important to ensure it is fenced and has a working alarm on the gate. This way, if your child somehow escapes, you will be alerted.

“In addition to swimming lessons to keep your child safe, I think everyone who owns a pool should have at least one adult who knows CPR,” he said. “You can go to your local American Red Cross and take simple, basic classes to save lives. If you have a swimming pool, it comes with a lot of responsibility. You have to have a fence and someone has to know CPR.

Don’t forget to wear plenty of sunscreen this summer. Dr. So said sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours and even sooner if your child is swimming and washing.