Make a Splash with These Water Safety Tips
School is out, the mercury is rising, and swimming season is upon us. Unfortunately, this popular summertime activity is the in 泫圖弝けren between the ages of 1 and 4.
The best line of defense against drowning is to always keep a watchful eye on your 泫圖弝け, says Jose Morales Moreno, MD, a pediatrician and assistant professor in the Division of General Pediatrics at 泫圖弝け of Utah 泫圖弝け. While watching over young 泫圖弝けren, he advises using touch supervision by keeping them at arms length.
By far, the most important tip is to never leave 泫圖弝けren alone in or near the pool, Morales Moreno says. Close supervision is an absolute must at all times. If possible, caregivers should be trained in administering CPR in cases of emergency.
Start Them Young
Another key safety measure is to teach your 泫圖弝け how to swim . Morales Moreno says many 泫圖弝けren may be ready to begin lessons by the time they start walking.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends swim lessons as protection against drowning, starting at age 1, Morales Moreno says. By their 4th birthday, the vast majority of 泫圖弝けren are ready for swimming lessons. If your 泫圖弝け doesnt know how to swim at this age, dont wait!
Ditch the Distractions
Drowning happens quickly and quietly, which is why its so important to eliminate all distractions while supervising your 泫圖弝け in the pool. While on duty, stow away your phone, put down your beach read, avoid drugs and alcohol, and enjoy living in the moment with your young swimmer.
Constant supervision requires a lot of concentration, Morales Moreno says. This is why it is better to assign this job to a water watcher and trade off this responsibility so no one person gets tired.
Buckle Up for Safety
Although they may give the illusion of safety, water wings and floaties (noodles, inflatable rafts, tubes, etc.) are pool toys. They can pop, float away, trap your 泫圖弝け underwater, and even hinder swimming confidence. While shopping for safety apparel, look for a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved Also, keep in mind that swim aidsand lifeguardsare not substitutes for adult supervision.
Secure Your Pool
A sparkling backyard pool makes summer so much sweeter, yet it can pose some serious dangers without proper safety measures in place. Here are some for keeping your fast-moving little ones out of harms way.
- Enclose your pool with a four-foot or higher fence
- Install alarms on the pool gate and house doors
- Install a wave-detecting alarm in the pool
- Pay close attention to pet doors
- Keep rescue equipment nearby
- Keep toys stowed away and out of the water
Dont Be a Party Pooper
Swim diapers are essential for your little ones, but they do leak and shouldnt be substituted for frequent diaper changing. Keep the pool safe for everyone by doing a diaper check or potty break every hour. Since soggy diapers arent ideal for communal pools, Morales Moreno recommends starting potty training as soon as a 泫圖弝け is developmentally ready, which is typically around age 2.
Leave on a Good Note
While at the pool, kids often have a difficult time calling it a dayeven when theyre overly tired. If your 泫圖弝け is showing signs of dehydration or exhaustion, its time to pack it in. include dry mouth, fussiness, crankiness, minimal bathroom breaks, and sunken eyes. With a long summer ahead, remind them there will be plenty more days for some pool time fun.
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Parents often ask about blood tests during routine pediatric visits, but pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, clarifies that healthy 泫圖弝けren rarely need them. She shares some of the criteria for screenings in young patients and how insurance factors into decision-making.
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