Swimming is a life skill that everyone should learn. Swimming is an amazing exercise for fun and staying fit, but it can get risky when you forgo safety, especially when it involves kids. 

Drowning can occur unexpectedly in various situations, so it's wise to adhere to safety rules and teach your children to do the same whenever enjoying water activities.

As per the 2024 survey by the Centers of Disease Control, drowning is the single leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children up to age 14.

 

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This makes it imperative to be extra-vigilant and give undivided attention to your kids while they are in the pool. Follow these safety tips to ensure the safety of your kids when they are around water:

 

Don’t Solely Rely on Safety Gadgets

When it comes to ensuring safety during swim lessons for kids, it's essential not to rely solely on safety gadgets like floaties. While these can be helpful, they are not foolproof and can sometimes give a false sense of security. It's crucial to have multiple layers of safety measures in place. First and foremost, always ensure there is a responsible adult supervising the children during swim lessons. This adult should be vigilant and ready to intervene if needed, even if the kids are using floatation devices. Also, children should wear brightly coloured swimsuits, avoiding shades of blue to reduce the risk of blending into the surroundings.

Secondly, choose swim instructors or programs that prioritise safety. Look for instructors who not only teach swimming techniques but also incorporate safety drills and educate children about water awareness. These skills are invaluable in helping children understand potential risks and how to navigate them safely.

 

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Teach Your Kids to Walk Instead of Run 

Running near water, whether it's a pool, lake, or ocean, increases the risk of slipping and falling. Even shallow water can pose dangers.

Teaching children to walk near water not only reduces the risk of accidents but also encourages them to be more mindful of their surroundings. It's important to explain to kids why running near water is risky and to reinforce the habit of walking calmly in these areas.

 

Educate Kids About Pool Drain Safety

Pool drains can create a powerful suction, which can trap swimmers, especially small children, causing serious injuries or drowning incidents. It's important to educate children about the potential dangers of pool drains and how to stay safe around them.

Start by explaining to children what pool drains look like and where they are typically located in the pool. Teach them never to play near or sit on pool drains or suction outlets. Emphasise the importance of avoiding the suction area of the drain and to swim away immediately if they feel any strong suction.

 

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Teach Water Survival Skills

No matter how excellent or well-versed your child is at swimming, it is imperative to teach these 5 survival skills to your kids:

• How to return to the surface without panicking
• How to turn around in the water and orient to safety.
• How to float or tread water.
• How to combine breathing while swimming
• How to exit the water safely.

Apart from this, as a parent you should know how to give CPR in case of emergencies.

 

Designate a “Water Watcher” 

When we're in a group setting, it's natural to relax, assuming that with so many people around, someone will keep an eye on our kids. However, this can lead to a false sense of security, especially around water. To ensure constant vigilance and safety, it's crucial to designate a "water watcher" whose sole responsibility is to supervise the children actively. 

Make sure that each kid has been designated a different watcher, for enhanced security, vigilance and undivided attention. Also make sure that the designated person should refrain from distractions like socialising or using electronic devices as this might lead to distraction in no time.

 

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Prioritising swimming safety for children is paramount to ensuring an enjoyable and secure swimming experience. By fostering a combination of supervision, education, and preparedness, caregivers and parents can greatly reduce risks and empower young swimmers to embrace the water with confidence and safety awareness.

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